Glove with palm hammock

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a glove with a seamless palm portion used when gripping a sporting implement. The glove is used when additional pressure points caused by seams between the user&#39;s hand and a sporting implement is a common problem. A method and apparatus for reducing the seams in a glove palm portion while also reducing glove bunching is provided according to various embodiments. The seamless glove palm portion is located substantially over boney pillars of the palmar-side of the hand in order to direct even pressure and/or force caused by the handlebar while cycling or gripping to one or more boney pillars of the hand, rather than creating additional pressure points on the hands.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a glove with a palm hammock, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for avoiding a seam in the palm area of the glove that contacts a sporting implement when gripping the sporting implement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gloves, and specifically the palm portions of gloves, vary in composition and design based on several design parameters, including function/performance, weight, cost, aesthetics, comfort, and ease of manufacture. Athletic gloves, for example, typically emphasize performance as dictated by the sport. A summer cycling glove is commonly of lighter-weight than a baseball-batting glove, for example, given a summer cycling glove is generally fingerless and weight is emphasized more in cycling than baseball. Further, a skiing glove generally is heavier and more insulated than a cycling glove because of the colder skiing temperatures and the fact that ski poles generally do not need to be gripped as tightly or securely as bicycle handlebars. Given the particular cost-competitive nature of glovewear and the volumes involved, ease and cost of manufacture is another important consideration. Furthermore, gloves must be comfortable and functional.

Typically, athletic gloves comprise an upper glove portion, a lower glove portion, and a glove body. The upper glove portion provides a covering for the fingers and it securely receives and positions the hand with respect to the glove body. In addition, the upper glove may have a configuration that protects the fingers and keeps the fingers warm and dry in winter climates. The upper glove may also, or alternately, be configured to provide ventilation, thereby cooling the hand and removing perspiration. The lower glove structure can vary depending on whether the glove stops at the base of the hand or whether the glove covers the user's wrist.

The materials forming the glove may be selected based upon the properties of wear-resistance, flexibility, stretchability, and air-permeability, for example.

Irritation and injury to the median (carpal tunnel syndrome) and ulnar (Guyon's canal syndrome) nerves in the hand is a common problem. The nerves pass through separate fibro-osseous canals within the wrist/palm. Nerve injury may occur as a result of compression, vibration, and traction. Common causes of nerve compression include use of a computer keyboard and mouse (mouse use places pressure primarily on the ulnar nerve), and holding a bicycle handlebar. Vibration induced nerve injury may occur from using gardening equipment (e.g., power lawn mowers, gasoline powered blowers, power string trimmers), operating heavy equipment (e.g., back hoes, road graders, tractors), and sports utilizing racquets, bats, or poles. Traction related nerve irritation might arise from frequent repetitive tasks involving hand/wrist motion such as occurs with assembly line work. Many activities may produce nerve irritation or injury through a combination of mechanisms such as compression and vibration. Examples of such activities include factory work involving the use of hand held power tools, driving/racing cars or boats, and piloting aircraft.

Many athletic activities involve prolonged or intense gripping or squeezing of hard objects, which can be uncomfortable and adversely affect critical nerve regions in the athlete's arm. This can be due to the intense shock, pressure and vibration imparted upon the critical nerves in the user's palms. For example, while cyclist's hands do not support heavy weight, they instead must hold on tightly to handlebars for long periods of time, perhaps hours during long road rides, and over treacherous, rocky terrain, when riding off-road. One of the problems cyclists face is “Cyclist Palsy” where compression or stretching of the median and/or ulnar nerves causes tingling or numbness in the fingers. Tennis players, racquetball players and golfers can even experience numbness and weakness in their hands long after they have finished playing. Further, fishermen can suffer hand injury and/or pain caused by extended gripping of a fishing pole and/or during extended reeling-in of a catch, such as during deep-sea fishing. Skiers, in particular cross-country skiers, can suffer injury to their hands from extended griping of ski sticks/poles. Also, users of motorcycles and/or participants in motocross can suffer hand injury and/or pain from extended gripping of handlebars.

When a person places his hands on a hard object, the primary contact between the palms of his hands and the hard object's surface are the hard, bony prominences at the base of the thumb and the lateral side of the hands called the thenar and hypothenar eminences, respectively. These two areas bear much of the pressure and keep the pressure from the object away from the neurovascular bundles. However, under the intense and/or prolonged pressure associated with the gripping process, as is common in the activities described above, these bony prominences separate slightly thereby allowing some of the pressure to be applied to the neurovascular bundles that run between the two bony prominences.

The thenar and hypothenar musculature at the sides of the hands provide a natural protective region to the branches of the medial and ulnar neurovascular region that extend to the athlete's fingers. However, when the hands are wrapped around a hard, cylindrical object, or placed flat on a solid surface, this natural protective region separates and allows pressure from the object or surface to be applied directly to the medial and ulnar branches. This could result in numbness in the fingers, swelling of the hands, and tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a variant of ulnar nerve damage due to prolonged exposure to pressure, vibration and the shock of impact.

Various gloves have been designed to mitigate or prevent injury or damage to the nerves as a result of such activities.

Gloves with pads have been produced to prevent vibration-related nerve injury. Gloves have also been made incorporating bladders to prevent transfer of vibration to the hand. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,490 issued Jun. 30, 1998, to Reynolds et al. (“Reynolds I”) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,688 issued Jul. 23, 1996, to Reynolds, et al. (“Reynolds II”). The entire disclosures of Reynolds I and Reynolds II are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

A variety of gloves have been developed for use in sports (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,387 issued to Lopez on Sep. 8, 1987, (“Lopez”)) such as racquetball, golf (U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,214 issued to St. Ville on Jun. 3, 1997, (“St. Ville”)), and baseball. The entire disclosures of Lopez and St. Ville are incorporated by reference in their entireties. These gloves are typically designed to improve a player's grip on the handle of the racquet, bat, or handlebars. Lopez describes an athletic glove apparatus for providing a non-slip grip, padding, and protection to the hands for use in different sports. Lopez also provides a cycling glove apparatus comprising a glove and a handle bar wrap, the glove comprising a palm truss, an upper palm pad, a lower palm pad, and a thumb pad, such that the handler bar wrap actively engages the truss member and the pad members for providing a padded, non-slip grip that is exceedingly easy to disengage. Some of the gloves disclosed in Lopez and St. Ville include padding in various areas, but they do not specifically address nerve protection through the impact of a seam to the nerves.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,847 issued to Eibert on Jul. 27, 1999, (“Eibert I”) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,276 issued to Eibert on Apr. 17, 2001, (“Eibert II”) describe a padded athletic glove wherein pre-formed, air-blown, silicon foam pads are stitched onto the glove, or are applied to the glove using an adhesive. Such patents are incorporated herein by this reference. Cycling gloves are mentioned wherein protective padding is provided on the palm and/or fingers of the glove. Athletic gloves are described that protect the palms and/or fingers and/or assist in the catching of a ball or another object and/or enhance the gripping of an object already that is held in the hand. Pads are described that range from about 0.010-inch to about 0.012-inch thick, having a durometer range of about 45 Shore A to about 55 Shore A, and having a specific gravity of about 1.12 to about 1.16.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,163 issued to Dzierson on May 31, 1988, (“Dzierson”) provides a glove with resilient padding secured to the palm side of a glove shell, extending from the heel of the palm toward the glove fingers and across the area between the glove index finger and the glove thumb. The entire disclosure of Dzierson is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As is known in the art, the region of the thumb crotch may be seamless to relieve unwanted pressure in the thumb crotch area. Such gloves are usually produced on the basis of two basic patterns: (1) according to the simple two-dimensional pattern and (2) according to the three-dimensional pattern. With the two-dimensional pattern the inner parts and the outer parts of the glove are each tailored to the desired size, laid upon each other and sewed together in the region of the thumb crotch along the cut edges. By doing so, rising multi-layers of the material of the glove between thumb and forefinger are formed, which in particular with close gloves or with gloves that are intended for a firm grip, as is the case with bicycle gloves, pressure spots may result. Therefore, by the three-dimensional pattern it was attempted to relocate the seams out of these sensitive regions. When applying the three-dimensional pattern the front side and the back side of the glove are tailored smaller than necessary and in the region between thumb and forefinger strip-like elements, called trims, are arranged. Between the fingers these elements are usually fastened by means of an inseam. Between the thumb and the forefinger, at least at the inner side of the hand, the element is fastened by means of a lapping seam, i.e., a seam by which the material is laid right-side onto left-side and is stitched onto each other in an area-like manner, so that in the region of this seam only a double layer of the materials exist. Nevertheless, this seam may still interfere and may cause pressure spots, respectively. Therefore, padding has been used to alleviate pressure caused by the glove's seams.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,469,426 issued to Roeckl on Dec. 30, 2008, (“Roeckl”) provides a bicycle glove with a seamless thumb crotch and padding primarily positioned in the region between the thumb crotch and the index finger, in an attempt to relieve pressure spots when gripping bicycle handlebars. The entire disclosure of Roeckl is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0275342 by Sweeney et al. published on Nov. 4, 2010, (“Sweeney”) describes a seamless, single layer, multi-yarn glove or glove liner. The entire disclosure of Sweeney is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Some athletic gloves, specifically soccer (also referred to as football or firtbol) goalie gloves, have a palm section that is seamless. U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,703 issued to Avis et al. on Jul. 28, 2009, U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,111 issued to Avis et al. on Aug. 31, 2010, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0287682 by Avis, U.S. Pat. No. 8,239,969 issued to Fisher on Aug. 14, 2012, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,964 issued to Staihar et al. on Dec. 2, 2003, disclose such a glove and are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

One difference between the glove device disclosed herein and the soccer goalie gloves of the prior art is that goalies keep their hands open with their fingers relatively straight in order to catch the ball. Because the ball has a large circumference relative to a bat or handlebars, the goalies' hands remain somewhat open even after they catch the ball. Cyclists, baseball batters, and golfers, on the other hand, wrap their hands around cylindrical objects with rather small circumferences (e.g., the handlebars, bat, and club), at least compared to a soccer ball. Thus, the palms of the cyclist's, batter's, and golfer's gloves must not bunch or overlap when the athlete grips his particular sporting implement. To fix this problem, cycling gloves and other athletic gloves of the prior art went away from the seamless palm and instead created a palm with many sections or pieces. Further, some gloves include stretchy material or gussets between the sections such that the glove with tighten or shrink along the section lines and, therefore, reduce or minimize the bunching. The seams and pieces of the prior art allowed the user to close his palms without the glove palms bunching too much.

Many gloves designed for cycling provide multiple pads, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,519 issued to Garneau on Jan. 25, 2005, (“Garneau I”), and U.S. Pat. No. 7,578,006 issued to Garneau on Aug. 25, 2009, (“Garneau II”). Each of these discloses gloves intended to increase comfort and/or flexibility, and provide increased breathability, yet do not address protecting the nerves or seamless palms. The entire disclosures of Garneau I and Garneau II are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,023 issued to Beland et al. on Sep. 22, 2009, (“Beland”) discloses a hockey glove with a finger pad for covering at least partially the dorsal surface of one finger, the finger pad having a padding element enclosed in a pocket, the pocket comprising lateral and medial flaps extending downwardly along a portion of a length of the finger pad for connecting the pocket to one of the first, second, third, and fourth finger gussets such that there is a void area between the pocket and the finger gusset. The entire disclosure of Beland is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0055995 of Dassler (“Dassler”) published Mar. 10, 2011, provides a glove with palm portion formed of flexible material, wherein the palm portion includes multiple ball-shaped elements. The entire disclosure of Dassler is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Many bicycling gloves attempt to protect the median and ulnar nerves by providing cushioning directly over the nerves. For example, Minkow, et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,517 issued Sep. 18, 2001) addresses protection of the median and ulnar nerves by placing padding of increased thickness directly over the nerves. The entire disclosure of Minkow is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The prior art gloves do not adequately protect irritation and injury to the nerves in the hand. The prior art gloves typically provide a broad pad on the palm of the hand or multiple pads assembled primarily on the palm of the hand. Further, the prior art gloves do not account for the location of the seams in the palm of the glove when the glove is in use, specifically when the glove is clamped or clasped around a hard cylindrical object such as a bicycle handle bar, motorcycle handlebar, baseball bat, golf club, etc. See, for example, the seams in the palm of U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0077714 to Baacke (“Baacke”), which describes a glove with a palm portion having a section of the material forming the palm portion cut out from the palm portion and replaced by a replacement section formed of stretchable material. The entire disclosure of Baacke is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Further, prior art gloves do not account for the location of the seam in the palm of the glove when the person wearing the glove clasps his hands around an object such as a bicycle handlebar, motorcycle handlebar, golf club, baseball bat, etc. U.S. Pat. No. 7,530,120 issued to Morrow on May 12, 2009, (“Morrow”) describes a protective glove having a palmless outer layer and a form-fitting inner glove. The entire disclosure of Morrow is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

It is therefore desirable to have a glove that provides a seamless palm without compressing one or more nerves, therein avoiding or mitigating irritation or injury to the nerves and palm, while also remaining flexible so as to allow gripping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of certain embodiments of the present invention is directed to a glove that has a seamless palm area in contact with a sporting implement when gripping the sporting implement. The seamless palm section is meant to comfortably support pressure without adding additional pressure points.

Another aspect of certain embodiments of the present invention is directed to a glove with a palm hammock, where such palm hammock changes the seams on the palm side of the glove to improve comfort when a user is gripping a sporting implement such as a bicycle's handlebars. Thus, in some embodiments, the palm hammock does not have a seam that runs around the thumb.

When a user touches his pinky finger to his thumb, the glove of the present invention does not have a seam that runs down the palm or around the thumb in the general area where the palm naturally forms a crease. Many sporting gloves have a seam around the thumb or down the palm in this general area and it is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to avoid such a seam.

One aspect of certain embodiments is directed to a glove that is seamless in the area of the palm in contact with the handlebars when a cyclist is cycling, which is meant to comfortably support pressure without adding additional pressure points. This may reduce the cost of such gloves, reduce extra weight, provide for enhanced flexibility of the glove, facilitate desired creasing/folding of the palm surface, and promote a better rider-feel of the handlebars without undesired painful vibrations being encountered, etc. This is in contrast to the prior art, which has no appreciation for where seams should not be, and generally teaches that the more sections of material and seams the better because then bunching is reduced (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,104 and European Patent Publication EP 2,471,395). Indeed, the prior art teaches away from embodiments of the invention where more sections and seams are not better and in fact may be harmful. In various embodiments, the glove may be used for different types of cycling, such as mountain biking, road biking, triathlons, etc.

Another aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to aid the user in proper placement of the user's hands on the sporting implement such that the user properly grips the shaft to minimize harm to the user's metacarpal-phalangeal joints of the hand when gripping. The proper gripping of the sporting implement (such as a bicycle handlebars, golf glove, bat, ski poles, etc.) in conjunction with the glove palm's seam locations, avoiding the metacarpal-phalangeal joints, combine to reduce the potential of injury to the metacarpal-phalangeal joints during gripping. This will help to reduce the risk of blisters and callouses on this portion of the hand. The padding will also reduce the risk of an inflammatory reaction in the metacarpal-phalangeal joints and acts as a protectant from early degenerative arthritis in these joints. In some embodiments, the palm hammock is of sufficient width so that the seams avoid the metacarpal-phalangeal joints.

In some embodiments, the glove may include a visual indicator to tell the athlete whether his has his hands in the correct position. When the athlete grips the sporting implement with his gloved hand(s), the athlete could determine whether he has properly gripped the sporting implement by glancing down at his gloved hand(s). If the visual indicator on the palm hammock is visibly in alignment with longitudinal axis of the sporting implement then the player is properly gripping the implement. If the visual indicator is not visible when the sporting implement is gripped, the player would rotate his hands on the grip until the visual indicator was visible and in appropriate alignment.

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a glove with a seamless palm and more specifically to a method and apparatus for making the same. The invention involves the seams of the glove, with particular attention to the location of the seams relative to anatomic structures of the hand and the portion of the hand in contact with the handlebars while cycling or gripping. In one embodiment, the seams are located substantially away from the boney pillars of the hand in order to avoid additional pressure caused by the seam contacting the handlebar while cycling or gripping. In particular, the seam location avoids additional pressure on one or more nerves of the hand, where pressure or loading is not intended.

In one aspect of the present invention, the glove is fabricated and constructed to provide a high level of abrasion resistance, impact resistance, cut resistance, puncture resistance, grip, and sweat management. In another aspect, the sweat management features are provided by a glove liner that may be fabricated as a single-ply layer comprised of a yarn and the cut resistance features of the glove are provided by an exterior layer or shell that is cut resistant. The single-ply knitted liner layer may also comprise a first yarn that is cut resistant and a second yarn such as wool or cotton, which provides breathability or absorption. The second yarn may also provide other performance characteristics desirable in an occupational or a cycling glove, such as flexibility or stretch. The glove may include a knitted glove liner having a single layer with one or more different yarns, the single layer may include four finger sections, a thumb section and a palm section, each of these sections having a palm side and a dorsal side. On the palm side, padding may be affixed to the fingers and thumb sections, leaving the underside of the finger dorsal areas unpadded. The padding may also be on the dorsal side of the fingers and thumb sections such that the tips of these sections are padded too. The dorsal side of the outer layer of the glove may have a coating or may be made of a material that is abrasion resistant. The knitted glove liner having a single layer may include two different yarns that are also cut resistant.

Although many of the embodiments are focused on gloves with a seamless glove palm for use in cycling, the invention may be used in any application where irritation and injury to the median and ulnar nerves in the hand is a common problem. Such applications include athletic activities that involve prolonged or intense gripping or squeezing of hard objects, which can adversely affect critical nerve regions in an athlete's arm. Such other applications include, but are not limited to: motocross riding, motorcycle riding, fishing, golfing, weight-lifting, trek running, trail running, downhill and cross-country skiing, and any application where gripping is required, to include construction such as jack-hammering, clinching of garden tools, and extended clinching of steering wheels.

As used herein, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

As used herein, “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The phrase “device”, “apparatus”, “glove”, “glove apparatus”, “glove device”, “seamless glove”, and “padded glove” are used herein to indicate the invention device. The phrase “removably attached”, “removable”, and/or “detachable” is used herein to indicate an attachment or connection of any sort that is readily releasable or disconnected.

As used herein, the finger and hand regions may be referred to using different bones, numbers, or general locations. For example, there may be a wrist region, a metacarpal region, and five phalangeal regions. Thus, the “phalangeal region” may also be called the “finger region” or “upper region” or “upper glove portion”. The “wrist region” generally includes portions of glove corresponding with some of the bones of the wrist and lower portions of the arm and may also be called the “lower region” or “lower glove portion”. The “metacarpal region” generally includes portions of glove corresponding with metacarpal bones of the hand and may also be called the “glove body” (dorsal side) or “glove palm” (palmar side). In addition, phalangeal regions generally include portions of the glove corresponding with the bones of the fingers (i.e., proximal phalanges, middle phalanges, and distal phalanges). The different fingers may be referred to by their common names or numbers: the “first digit” may also be called the “thumb”, the “second digit” may also be called the “index finger”, the “third digit” may also be called the “middle finger”, the “fourth digit” may also be called the “ring finger”, and the “fifth digit” may also be called the “pinky finger”.

By way of providing additional background, context, and to further satisfy the written description requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112, the following references are incorporated by reference in their entireties for the express purpose of explaining the nature of athletic gloves and to further describe the various tools and other apparatus commonly associated therewith:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/493,647 describes a padded cycling glove.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,980 describes a stitched and padded glove that includes a heat softening, slow recovery, medium density, polyurethane foam pad that, when heated by the hand, conforms to the shape of the hand.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0070916 describes a protective garment, preferably a glove, with a liner, an overlayer, and a covering layer.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0262707 describes a multipurpose glove with padding in the palm of the glove.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0296582 describes an ergonomic curved athletic glove with a palm portion, a back portion, four finger sheaths, and a thumb sheath. Each sheath has a front and back finger portion and one or more gussets.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0221365 to Fitzgerald discloses a glove with seamless finger tips and gussets.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,651 to Gramza discloses a glove with a wrist support and breathable, elastic material.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,257 issued on Feb. 21, 2006, to Bevier (“Bevier”) describes a glove with a stitchless seam. The stitchless seam is formed by using an adhesive to secure the two pieces of material together. In one configuration, the stitchless seam is located approximately down the center of the palm and starts between the middle and ring fingers. Additionally, Bevier discloses a glove with a stitchless seam running down the palm in the general area of a person's natural crease when the person touches his pinky finger to his thumb.

Some gloves of the prior art, such as soccer goalie (i.e., goalkeeper) gloves, have a palm that is entirely seamless. Improved ball control is gained through an absence of seams on areas that are critical for ball control, specifically the palmar and lateral surfaces of the first and second digit and the palmar and medial surfaces of the fifth digit. Furthermore, the general absence of seams that connect separate sections of material on the palmar surface improves durability by eliminating common failure areas.

One difference between the glove device disclosed herein and the soccer goalie gloves of the prior art is that goalies keep their hands open with their fingers relatively straight in order to catch the ball. Because the ball has a large circumference relative to a bat or handlebars, the goalies' hands remain somewhat open even after they catch the ball. Cyclists, baseball batters, and golfers, on the other hand, wrap their hands around cylindrical objects with rather small circumferences (e.g., the handlebars, bat, and club), at least compared to a soccer ball. Thus, the palms of the cyclist's, batter's, and golfer's gloves must not bunch or overlap when the athlete grips his particular sporting implement. To fix this problem, cycling gloves and other athletic gloves of the prior art went away from the seamless palm and instead created a palm with many sections or pieces. Further, some gloves include stretchy material or gussets between the sections such that the glove with tighten or shrink along the section lines and, therefore, reduce or minimize the bunching. The many seams and pieces of the prior art allowed the user to close his palms without the glove palms bunching too much. Accordingly, the prior art gloves for gripping a sporting implement teach away from the entirely seamless palm of soccer goalies' gloves.

In one embodiment, the glove includes a palmar element and a dorsal element. The palmar element is formed of a first shock-absorbing material and is located to substantially cover a palmar metacarpal area of the wearer's hand and a palmar side of a first digit, a second digit, a third digit, a fourth digit, and a fifth digit of the wearer's hand. The palmar element also has at least one additional section that wraps around a medial or a lateral side of at least one of the second through fifth digits to cover at least a portion of a dorsal side of the digit wrapped by the at least one additional section. The dorsal element is located opposite the palmar element and substantially covers a dorsal metacarpal area of the wearer's hand and at least a portion of the dorsal side of the second digit, the third digit, the fourth digit, and the fifth digit that are not covered by the at least one additional section of the palmar element. The purpose of additional sections are to wrap around digits, thereby creating a seamless surface that extends from the palmar area, around the sides of the digits, and to the dorsal area. A seamless surface on the medial side of the fifth digit and on lateral sides of the first and second digit create a configuration wherein the digital regions of the glove do not have seams that may interfere with gripping a sporting implement.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a glove with a seamless palm to alleviate pressure points between the user's palm and a sporting implement, such as a bicycle handlebar.

In one embodiment, the glove may be provided with expandable zones on both sides of the top portion of the glove. The thumb, pinky, and index finger may have sheaths with a “seamless” design to avoid seams where the glove comes in contact with a sporting implement and to reduce potential gripping interference. The palm portion of the glove may comprise only one section or a few sections with a “seamless” design to avoid seams where the glove comes in contact with a sporting implement (e.g., a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar or a baseball bat) in order to reduce potential gripping interference. Alternatively, the palm portion of the glove may comprise multiple sections connected with a stretchable palm gusset to minimize bunching when a sporting implement is gripped. The length of each palmar-side finger portion may also be shorter than the length of the corresponding dorsal-side finger portion to provide the glove with a gripping curve. Providing the glove with a gripping curve minimizes bunching of the palmar-side (i.e., front) finger portions, palmar-side thumb portion, and palm portion while a received hand grips the sporting implement.

Different arrangements and numbers of sections of the glove palm and palm gusset are contemplated in other embodiments. In some embodiments, a palm gusset is not included in the glove. In such embodiments without a palm gusset, the glove palm may either be a single piece of material or may be composed of multiple pieces of material connected together. In certain embodiments without a palm gusset that incorporate a seamless finger design, the area of the glove palm adjacent to a thumb sheath may be a separate piece of material attached to a main section of the glove palm. In various embodiments without a palm gusset that incorporate a “seamless” palm design, the glove palm may be seamless and may comprise seamless suspension between the pinky finger and thumb. In such embodiments, the material suspended between the pinky finger and thumb may be positioned such that no seams sit between the user's palm and a sporting implement (e.g., a bicycle or motorcycle handlebar) when the user is gripping the sporting implement.

In one embodiment, the glove has a curve substantially the same as the curve necessary to grip a sporting implement (e.g., a handlebar) having a circumference. The handle circumference of the sporting implement can be any circumference physically able to be gripped by a human hand. Often, American bicycle handlebars have a diameter of between about ⅞ of an inch and 1.25 inches. The European Standard EN 14764:2005 contains handlebar dimension regulations: “The handlebar shall have an overall width between 350 mm and 1000 mm unless national regulations dictate otherwise.” The glove is designed to grip the sporting implement having a handle circumference such that bunching of the palmar finger surfaces and glove palm surface of the glove is minimized and such that the thumb, index finger, and pinky finger seams and palm seams in contact with the sporting implement are minimized. In one embodiment, a seamless design eliminates thumb, index finger, and pinky finger seams that would conventionally come in contact with the sporting implement, such as a handlebar.

In certain embodiments, palm seams are reduced by placing the seamless suspension between the pinky finger and thumb below the area in which the handlebar comes in contact with glove. The length of the palmar finger portions may be selected to achieve the glove curve of the glove. The length of the dorsal finger portions are determined based on the length of the palmar finger portions. In some embodiments, the index finger portion of the glove (the palmar and dorsal portions) is one continuous piece. In other embodiments, the palmar finger portions wrap around the glove onto the dorsal side of the glove such that the fingertips are seamless.

In certain embodiments, the sporting implement to be gripped determines the desired curve of the glove as well as the palmar (i.e., front) finger length, the dorsal finger length, and the length, shape, and curve of the material between the palmar and dorsal fingers and thumb.

Many professional cyclists, as well as some amateurs, grip the bicycle handlebar primarily in the fingers and rest the arm weight primarily in the palms rather than grip primarily in the palms and/or rest weight in the fingers as is done by many amateur cyclists. Further, many professional baseball players, as well as some amateurs, grip the bat handle primarily in the fingers rather than primarily in the palm as is done by many amateur baseball and softball players. Therefore, the seamless section of the glove may differ depending on the sport in which the glove is designed to be used. The seamless design may be more useful in some fingers and/or in some palm areas than in others, depending upon the sporting implement the glove is designed to grip.

In one embodiment, the device is comprised of a glove that fits over a human hand with lower glove portion and upper glove portion. The glove comprises a main glove body, glove palm, finger area, and thumb area. The glove palm may be seamless and may comprise seamless suspension between the pinky finger and thumb. The glove may also comprise a pocket on the glove palm. The glove may be fitted with glove holes or gaps, for example glove holes on the finger area. In other embodiments, the glove holes may be fitted to the glove thumb area and/or to the main glove body area. The glove may further comprise a closure tab which affixes to the closure tab receiving area. The palmar-side of the glove may include one or more pads located on the glove palm. The glove pads are collectively referred to as “pads” or “glove pads.” The pads may comprise thumb-area pads, side-area pads, and finger-area pads. The pads are deliberately and precisely positioned on the glove to receive pressure, when gripping a hard object such as bicycle handlebars while bicycling.

In another embodiment, the glove palm comprises a seamless section of material that is suspended seamlessly between the pinky and thumb. The seamless section of material may be permanently attached. In another embodiment, the glove palm comprises a seamless section of material that may be removably attached.

In one embodiment, the glove palm comprises a pocket that is permanently attached. The glove palm may comprise pads that can be positioned in the pocket and are removable.

In another embodiment, the palmar pocket is occupied by one or more of: a void or space and a bladder that may be filled with a substance to include water, air, gel, ice, and resilient material. In one embodiment, the glove palm pocket is occupied by one or more pads, which are substantially flat. However, it is also possible that they have an elliptical shape or be shaped hemispherical. It is also possible that the pads can be pyramid shaped, triangular shaped, cube shaped, cylinder shaped, trapezoid shaped, parallelepiped shaped, tube shaped, bean shaped, capsule shaped or box shaped.

In other embodiments of the invention, the glove palm pocket or the seamless glove palm material and/or the glove comprise temperature, humidity, perspiration, and moisture control elements, such as to cool or heat the user's hands while wearing the gloves. Such temperature control elements include those with active heating or cooling, for example through electrical means, and passive heating or cooling, such as through air venting ports, holes, and channels. In one embodiment, temperature is controlled through chemical means.

In another embodiment, temperature control is enabled through evaporative cooling. The means to provide temperature, humidity, perspiration, and moisture control are fitted to the glove on any portion of the glove to include the palmar side of the glove, the distal side of the glove, lateral sides of the glove, and any combination therein.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pocket or the seamless section of material includes a component that provides an arch-like support conformal to the user hand anatomy.

In one embodiment of the pocket, the user may inject a substance into the pocket, such as air, water, and a gel, for user-determined stiffness and/or user preference. The pockets may also be specialized for a particular user, for design or aesthetics, or to employ gels and/or padding used in athletic footwear, such as monofilaments.

In one embodiment, the pads that may be inserted in the pocket on the palmar side of the glove comprise a pad surface and pad edge. The pad edge may be of a step-shape, or of more smooth shape, or other shapes that assist in the function of the device in receiving pressure and directing it to the boney regions or members of the hand, and/or designed to assist in attachment of the pads to the glove. In one embodiment of the pads, the pad is substantially domed-shape in cross-section. In another embodiment of the pad, the pad is a dome-shape with a pad depression area. Embodiments of the pads featured in the invention include those of varying cross-sections, comprising rectangular shapes, oval or dome shapes, and those with notches, indentations, contours, ridges, or wavy cross-sections. Also, the pad surface may include those textured and those of varying levels of resilience.

In one embodiment, the shapes of the pads are one or more of substantially oblong, rectangular, or square shape. However, as one skilled in the art would appreciate, the pad cross-section need not be limited to the above shapes. For example, cross-sections of an oval shape or those with at least one defined angle to include obtuse, acute, and right angles can provide a shape in some situations. A substantially round shape may also be employed. Further, shapes specifically or custom-designed for the user may be provided.

In one embodiment, a multipurpose glove comprises a relatively resilient body for snug fit reception of a user's hand. The body may include a first opening on a first side for receiving the user's hand, a second opening branching from a second side of the body for receiving the user's thumb, and a plurality of third openings oriented multidirectionally. Each of the third openings may receive at least one finger of the user upon engagement of the glove with the user's hand. A contoured, resilient pad may be mounted in a base portion of the body corresponding to and for engaging the palm of the user's hand. The pad may have, along one face, at least one lobed portion and be molded so as to generally fit the contour of the palm, the opposite face being relatively flat for engaging an interior portion of the base portion. The palm portion of the pad corresponds to the lobed portion is generally greater in thickness than that corresponding to the ball of the hand. Optionally, a contoured, resilient pad may be mounted in a finger portion of the body corresponding to and for engaging a palm side of the user's thumb. The pad may have, along one face, at least one sloping trough shaped portion and may be molded so as to generally fit the contour of the thumb. The opposite face may be relatively flat for engaging an interior portion of the base portion. The sloping trough shaped portion of the pad corresponding to a proximal portion of the thumb may be generally greater in thickness than that corresponding to a distal portion of the thumb. Upon engagement of the pad with the user's palm and thumb, and of an exterior portion of the base portion and the finger portion with a selected supporting surface, the pads may cause the base of the palm and the proximal portion to be lifted a selected distance generally greater than the distance of lift of the ball and midsection of the user's palm and of the distal portion, respectively, so as to minimize stress on the user's hand.

In one embodiment, the region of the thumb crotch is seamless to relieve unwanted pressure in the thumb crotch area.

In one embodiment, the glove has a seamless, single layer, multi-yarn glove liner.

The glove liner may include a first type of yarn and a second type of yarn that is different from the first type of yarn. The glove liner has a single layer that includes the first type of yarn and the second type of yarn knitted together to form a hand-like structure that includes a thumb section, a plurality of finger sections and a palm section. The first type of yarn is different that the second type of yarn. For example, the first type of yarn may be a cut resistant yarn and the second type of yarn may be an inexpensive elastic yarn such as Spandex. Gloves suitable for use by carpenters, electricians, HVAC handlers, laborers, masons, and plumbers are also provided. Methods of using these gloves are also provided.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a glove that fits over a human hand with lower glove portion and upper glove portion. The glove comprises a main glove body, glove palm, finger area, and thumb area. The glove palm comprises a seamless section of material that is suspended seamlessly between the pinky and thumb, which may also be called a palm hammock, seamless palm hammock, seamless hammock, seamless palm portion, or seamless palm section, herein. The glove may be fitted with insulation or additional linings, for example insulation that is designed primarily to provide warmth and/or linings to keep out water and moisture. In other embodiments, the insulation may be fitted to only sections of the glove, such as the glove finger area and/or the main glove body area.

In various embodiments, the insulation is seamless. In other embodiments, the insulation liner has a seamless palm portion. In additional or alternative embodiments, the liner may have a seamless palm hammock with a shape that matches the shape of the palm hammock on the outer glove portion. Thus, the seams of the liner may correspond to the seams of the outer glove portion.

In one embodiment of the invention, the glove fits over the hand of the user and comprises a closure tab which affixes to the closure tab receiving area. The palmar-side of the glove may comprise one or more pads located on the glove palm.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stiffness of the seamless section of material suspended between the pinky and thumb is variable. For example, the upper or outer section of the seamless section of material may be of higher or lower stiffness than the inner or lower section of the seamless section of material. The stiffness of the seamless section of material may vary in the longitudinal axis, lateral axis, or combination thereof. The stiffness may vary with time, temperature, or through a user-initiated manner, such as by varying the pressure of air within a pocket when air is used within the pocket. The stiffness may be tuned or adapted to a particular user.

In most situations where a user is gripping, such as in different handlebar grip positions when cycling, the upper palm area is placed under great stress. Also, the finger and upper palm areas are most vulnerable to blisters and other hand damage.

The phrase “boney pillar”, “pillars of the hand”, and “boney pillars of the hand” refer to any portion of any of the bones of the hand in which a force and/or pressure may be imparted, and comprise at least any portion of the scaphoid bone, trapezium bone, trapezoid bone, capitate bone, hamate bone, pisiform bone, triquetrum bone and lunate bone. The phrase “boney pillar” and “pillars of the hand” is not limited to regions and/or portions of any of the bones of the hand that present a protrustion or pillar.

The phrase “carpal bones”, “bones of the carpus”, and “carpus” refer to any portion of one or more of the scaphoid bone, trapezium bone, trapezoid bone, capitate bone, hamate bone, pisiform bone, triquetrum bone and lunate bone.

The phrase “metacarpal bones”, “metacarpals”, “metacarpus” and “bones of the metacarpus” refer to any portion of one or more of the five metacarpal bones.

The phrase “positioned not substantially over the user's median and ulnar neurovascular bundles” means positioned so as to not cover, at any cross-sectional point, more than ten percent of the width or diameter of either of the median or ulnar nerve bundles.

The phrase “positioned not substantially over the user's ulnar neurovascular bundle” means positioned so as to not cover, at any cross-sectional point, more than ten percent of the width or diameter of the ulnar nerve bundle.

The boney pillars comprise any portion of the carpal bones, such as portions of scaphoid bone, trapezium bone, trapezoid bone, capitate bone, hamate bone, pisiform bone, triquetrum bone and lunate bone.

The proximal phalanges are bones in the limbs proximal to the bases of the fingers. Humans also have a proximal phalanx of the thumb. The proximal phalanges connect on one side to the metacarpal bones and on the other side the intermediate phalanges. The intermediate phalanges connect on the other side to the distal phalanges. The thumb does not have an intermediate phalanx but it does have a distal phalanx.

In one embodiment, the glove palm has a seamless section so as to receive a gripping force imparted to the user's hand and substantially transfer the gripping force received to at least one of a carpal bone of the user's hand. In particular, the seamless palm section is positioned substantially over the majority of the metacarpul bones. A second seamless section located below the seamless palm section is positioned substantially over the majority of the wrist (or carpal) bones of the hand, such as the hamate bone and the pisiform bone. Further description of the seams' locations can be found below with the Detailed Description of FIGS. 7A and B.

In one embodiment, the seamless area may also include non-slip material or coating to help the user grip.

When the glove of embodiments of the present disclosure is used in cycling, the glove may provide protection and padding as well as a minimal amount of shearing resistance between the glove and the handlebar. In one embodiment, the glove may also provide a minimal amount of grip security and a maximum amount of grip padding. In various embodiments, the glove may provide a maximum amount of grip security and a minimal amount of grip padding.

Alternatively, the glove may have a palm portion with a section of the material forming the palm portion cut out from the palm portion and replaced by a replacement section formed of stretchable material. The replacement section, when attached to the periphery of the cut out portion of the palm portion, may be attached thereto in a tensioned or stretched configuration to provide contouring to the palm portion of the glove in conformance with the shape of a hand of the individual. This significantly reduces wrinkling and/or bunching of the palm portion when the hand is extended or contracted from the relaxed position.

In another embodiment of the invention, the seamless section of material suspended from the pinky to the thumb on the palmar-side of the glove is overlaid with a protective cover or plate. This embodiment is of particular use when the invention is used in the motocross or motorcycle application, where hardened plates are commonly provided as components of gloves. Such plates may be permanently attached or removably attached. Such plates may comprise materials of metallic substances, alloys, composites, and plastics. The protective cover or pad may comprise multiple pieces or sections, or be of one piece. The protective pad or cover may be substantially flat and/or two-dimensional, or of three-dimensional shape, such as a generally curved shape. The protective pad or cover may have design or aesthetic features, and may include contours, ridges. Further, the protective pad or cover may comprise multiple materials or be of uniform material.

In another embodiment, a fingerless glove is fitted with padded portions in the seamless glove palm pocket. It would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that a full-figured glove could also be used. Cushions or pads (i.e. padded portions) can be implemented as any of a variety of conventional padding material such as foam rubber of varying densities and thicknesses, layers of fabric of various types and thicknesses, conventional gel or plastic material, an inflatable air-retaining or liquid-retaining vessel, or other types of conventional materials for dissipating pressure across a large surface area. In another alternative embodiment, pads may be affixed in the glove palm pocket with a bonding agent or adhesive material suitable for application to a glove. In yet another alternative embodiment, pads may be affixed in the glove palm pocket with conventional hook and eye loop (e.g. Velcro™) strips thus providing one embodiment with removable pads. In other embodiments, pads may be fabricated from rigid materials such as plastics, fiberglass, or metal materials. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many other implementations of the pads may be implemented according to the present invention.

The invention finds general utility in athletic gloves, including gloves in which a seamless palm and/or padding and/or protection is provided for only the dorsal-side (i.e., back) of the glove, or gloves in which a seamless palm and/or padding and/or protection is provided for both the dorsal-side and the palm of the glove. In one embodiment, athletic gloves in the form of cycling gloves comprise a palm side that is formed of a perforated or breathable synthetic leather, a back side that is formed of an elastic textile material, for example a polyurethane elastic textile such as Spandex or Lycra, and a wrist-encircling portion that includes a hook and loop closure member such as Velcro. In another embodiment, the glove is an athletic glove (possibly a golf glove) and may be made out of any known material, such as synthetic leather or natural leather. Cabretta leather is a well-known material for athletic gloves such as golf gloves.

In one embodiment, the glove is a sports glove comprising a palm side, including a palm width, a dorsal side position opposite the palm side, and an adjustable fastener position on the palm side to vary the palm width. Preferably the adjustable fastener is position between the finger portion and cuff portion proximate to, but separated from, the cuff portion. The palm side of the glove can further include a palm heel portion wherein adjustable fasteners position on the palm heel portion. The adjustable fastener is preferably positioned to lie directly across the palm heel of the hand. This positioning of the adjustable fastener is specifically spaced from the wrist of the wearer and adjusts the palm width independently of the wrist width. The sports glove can include other fasteners positioned on the wrist or hand portions of sports gloves and still maintain the inventive nature of the sports glove. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0256210 to Gait published on Nov. 8, 2007 (“Gait”) discloses an adjustable fastener and the entire disclosure of Gait is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A glove is generally formed from multiple material elements that are joined together to form a structure for covering at least a portion of a hand. The material elements may include, for example, various textiles, leather, insulative materials, and foams. Textiles that stretch or otherwise conform to contours of the hand may be utilized to form a glove that suits a wide range of hand shapes and sizes. Similarly, textiles that permit air flow between opposite sides may be utilized to impart cooling or facilitate removal of perspiration. Whereas leather is generally incorporated into a glove to impart a relatively high degree of durability, insulative materials may protect the hand from temperature extremes, whether hot or cold. In addition, foams may be incorporated into a glove in order to attenuate forces and absorb energy (i.e., impart cushioning). Accordingly, the design of a glove often involves selecting a combination of material elements that are appropriate for the activities and environmental conditions in which the glove is intended to be used.

In one embodiment, the material elements of the glove may be joined through a stitching process, for example. Accordingly, a thread repetitively passes through two or more material elements to join the material elements together and form stitched seams. An adverse effect of this manner of joining material elements is that the stitched seams form a discontinuity in the conventional glove that the individual may sense. That is, the individual may detect or otherwise feel the presence of the stitched seams. When the glove is utilized, therefore, the stitched seams may form areas of discomfort as the stitched seams contact the skin of the individual. In addition, the stitched seams may inhibit the tactile properties of the conventional glove. For example, the stitched seams may obscure or decrease the degree to which the individual may sense objects that are in contact with the glove. Additionally, the seams may create additional pressure points when the individual grips a sporting implement and a seam runs between the individual's hands and the sporting implement.

In various embodiments, the one or more material elements of the glove are separate from each other and positioned adjacent each other, and the material elements are joined with a stitchless configuration. An adhesive element may be secured to each of the first material element and the second material element to form the stitchless configuration. The adhesive element may be a polymer, and more particularly, may be a thermoplastic polymer.

In one embodiment, the one or more material elements of the glove may be arranged such that a first edge of the first material element abuts a second edge of the second material element. In this configuration, the adhesive element is bonded to the first material element adjacent to the first edge, and the thermoplastic polymer adhesive element is bonded to the second material element adjacent to the second edge.

In other embodiments, the adhesive element may extend over the abutting interface of the first edge and the second edge. Furthermore, a third material element may be secured to the first material element and the second material element with an adhesive element to form the stitchless configuration.

In a further embodiment, the material elements may also be arranged such that the first material element and the second material element overlap each other. In this configuration, the adhesive element is positioned between the first material element and the second material element, and a thermoplastic polymer adhesive element may be bonded to each of the first material element and the second material element to form the stitchless configuration.

In various embodiments, the material elements are glued together or bonded. Any known adhesive, glue, or bonding agent may be used to interconnect the material elements.

The materials forming the glove may be selected based upon the properties of wear-resistance, flexibility, stretchability, and air-permeability, for example. Note that any material listed herein, and its known equivalents, may be interchanged with any other material listed herein. Thus, various embodiments contemplate different combinations of materials. Furthermore, when a generic or name brand material is referenced in the present disclosure, other generic and name brand equivalents known in the art may be used. For example, as used herein, “synthetic leather” may refer to a man-made material with similar properties to leather. Accordingly, synthetic leather may be used interchangeably herein with Ultrasuede, Alcantara, Durasoft, Presstoff, Chicron, Material 4X, Tongda, Parity, Durafit, AX Suede, Maxkin, Clarino™, Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather, and any other known synthetic leather.

In some embodiments, fabric contents may range from 80% polyester non-woven and 20% non-fibrous polyurethane (PU) to 65% polyester and 35% polyurethane depending on the product line. Several materials feel like natural suede but are resistant to stains and discoloration and can be machine-washed. Several versions of micro-fiber have a woven fabric surface, but resist pilling or fraying because it is combined with polyurethane foam in a non-woven structure. Select micro-fiber grades meet tested specifications for flammability requirements while others are anti-bacterial and even vegan in construction.

In one embodiment, athletic gloves in the form of cycling gloves comprise a palm side that is formed of a perforated or breathable synthetic leather, a back side that is formed of an elastic textile material, for example a polyurethane elastic textile such as Spandex or Lycra, and a wrist-encircling portion that includes a hook and loop closure member such as Velcro.

Softshell material may also be used for different material elements of the glove. Softshell material may refer to a waterproof and/or windproof material, a multiple-layer fabric consisting of synthetic materials, a breathable material, and/or name brand softshell materials known in the art. Additionally, softshell material may have, in some embodiments, fibers that vary but generally synthetic. In some embodiments of the glove, the softshell may have brushback, which are open fibers that are brushed and they may look like fleece.

In some embodiments, the exterior layer may be a material that provides wind and water protection. More specifically, in one embodiment, the exterior layer may be P.R.O. Softshell. In another embodiment, the exterior may be softshell with Minerale™ fabric to provide optimal wind and water protection. In various embodiments, the exterior layer may be completely waterproof. For example, if the exterior layer is comprised of P.R.O. Barrier with Outdry®, then it will provide water protection by bonding the waterproof, breathable membrane directly to the external layer of the glove. Additionally, Outdry® could be used with any exterior material to provide water protection. The exterior material may be capable of transferring heat away from the hands if the user has hot and/or sweaty hands. The softshell may transfer heat away through a breathable membrane. Further, the dorsal side of the glove exterior may be comprised entirely of softshell material or it may be comprised of a different synthetic material. Screened silicone and/or screened transparent silicone may be used to affix a logo to the dorsal side of the glove exterior. The softshell material of the glove body exterior (dorsal side) may be comprised of polyester, polyamide, spandex, and genuine leather. In one embodiment, the softshell material of the glove body exterior may be approximately 46% polyester, 33% polyamide, 17% spandex, and 4% genuine leather. Alternatively, the softshell material of the glove body exterior may be comprised of nylon, spandex, and polyester. In other embodiments, the softshell material of the glove body exterior may be approximately 73% nylon, 14% spandex, and 13% polyester. In another embodiment, the softshell material of the glove body exterior may be comprised of 63% polyester, 27% Minerale™ polyester, and 10% elastane. The Minerale™ polyester may be fabric that incorporates volcanic matter known as Minerale™ to aid in the transfer of heat and moisture. Volcanic matter is very porous and thus aids in the materials breathability. Volcanic matter may be up to two times more breathable than Gore™ materials. These materials allow for an anatomic fit (1:1 fit) that maximizes finger dexterity for shifting and braking.

In some embodiments, the exterior of the thumb may comprise a soft fleece wiping surface. Further, the fleece may be windproof In another embodiment, the wiping surface may be an optic cloth.

In one embodiment, the exterior dorsal-side of the glove may comprise reflective elements for low-light visibility. These reflective elements may be placed on the glove body and/or on the lower glove portion.

In some embodiments, the glove palm exterior may be comprised of leather or synthetic leather. In many embodiments it is preferred that the glove palm exterior be a material that is pliable, does not slip when gripping, and has dexterity. In one embodiment, Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather can be used for optimal handlebar feel without sacrificing back of hand warmth. Further, Pittards® provides superior softness and durability. More specifically, in one embodiment, the glove palm exterior may be comprised genuine leather, polyamide, spandex, and polyester. Further, the palm may be approximately 43% genuine leather, 30% polyamide, 17% spandex, and 10% polyester. In alternative and additional embodiments, the glove palm exterior may be natural leather, engineered leather, or synthetic leather. Alternatively, the glove palm exterior may be comprised of leather, nylon, and polyurethane. The glove palm exterior may be approximately 52% leather, 29% nylon, and 19% polyurethane. Accordingly, various other areas of the exterior layer of the glove may be formed from a synthetic or natural textile material.

In some embodiments, the glove may have a seamless thumb crotch. The seamless thumb crotch may be comprised of synthetic leather, natural material (such as leather), or other micro-fiber material. In some embodiments, the seamless thumb crotch may be synthetic leather such as, for example, Chicron or Clarino™. In additional or alternative embodiments, the thumb crotch may be a synthetic leather material or natural material and have a synthetic leather overlay with a no crotch seam. Alternatively, the seamless thumb crotch may be comprised of leather. In one embodiment, the leather may be Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather. In additional embodiments, the thumb crotch may have a synthetic leather overlay with a no crotch seam.

In various embodiments, the material between the fingers may be different materials. In some embodiments, the material between two fingers is the same material for all fingers. In other embodiments, two or more materials may be used such that one material may be used between the pinky and ring finger while a different material is used between two other fingers. Additionally materials may be used between other fingers in other additional embodiments. In one embodiment, the material between the finger sections may be softshell.

In another embodiment, the material between the fingers may be mesh. In additional and alternative embodiments, the material between the fingers may be lycra, a synthetic material, or a natural material.

In some embodiments, the glove may comprise one or more gussets, which are arranged in the finger crotch (i.e., saddle) between a user's adjacent fingers, one or more finger sections, each of which runs along an inside surface of one of the user's fingers and over the fingertip, between the palm and back portions, and at least one end of each of the finger sections is attached to one of the gussets. Each of the finger sections may be arranged such that there are no joining seams across the fingertips of the user.

Another embodiment of a glove according to the present invention comprises a palm portion, back portion, finger sections and a gussets all joined together to form a glove such that none are joined together to form a seam across the fingertips of the user. The fabric may be rubber except that rubber does not breathe and is hard to fasten without causing it to tear. Preferred wrap materials are woven, breathable elastic materials.

In one embodiment, the glove may comprise wrist supports. The wrist support may include a length of breathable, stretchable material attached to a rear edge of a glove, and possibly at an angle. The material is stretched and revolved around the wrist to form a support wrap. The outer surface of the wrap contains loops and the outer surface is provided with a patch of Velcro-type hook fastener which is engaged with the loops to form a variable positionable fastener.

In one embodiment, the glove may have an insert that is 100% polyurethane. Thus, the insert is waterproof to provide an extra degree of warmth and weather protection. Alternatively, the insert may be fleece.

In some embodiments, the glove is lined with fleece. More specifically, the palm of the lining may be comprised of 100% polyester and the back of the lining (dorsal side) may be 100% polyester. Alternatively, the insulation may be a Thermal Lite liner. Alternatively, the palm of the lining may be comprised of 72% polyester, 16% spandex, 7% nylon, and 5% polyurethane and the back of the lining (dorsal side) may be 77% polyester, 16% spandex, and 7% nylon.

In some embodiments a liner glove may be included that is comprised of P.R.O. Thermal Lite fabric and strategically placed synthetic leather in high-wear areas.

In additional or alternative embodiments, the glove may comprise insulation. In one embodiment the insulation is Primaloft® insulation, which provides optimal warmth without bulk.

In some embodiments, the glove also comprises a hook and loop closure. The closure tab may have synthetic leather, Chicron, debossed Chicron, or debossed nubuck (a type of leather) on the exterior of the tab. Chicron is a brand name material and may refer to either a microfibre base for polyurethane (“PU”) leather or a synthetic leather comprised of approximately 60% nylon and 40% PU non-knit fabric. Therefore, in various embodiments, any non-brand name synthetic leather or other brand name synthetic leather may be used in place of Chicron. The interior of the tab may be composed of synthetic leather. Furthermore, the lower glove portion (i.e., the wrist portion) may comprise a self gusset to allow for expansion and to ease putting the glove on and taking the glove off. In some embodiments, the self gusset is softshell material. In other embodiments the gusset is a synthetic material. In still other embodiments, the gusset is mesh. In various embodiments, the glove may have a simple pull-on design and thus not have a closure tab.

In one embodiment, the glove may have a gauntlet to keep the user's wrists warm. In some embodiments, the lower glove portion (specifically the wrist or cuff) may not have any insulation even if other parts of the glove have insulation.

The exterior layer of the glove may be formed, therefore, from numerous material elements that each impart different properties to specific portions of the glove. Similarly, the interior layer of the glove may be formed of a moisture-wicking textile that removes perspiration from the area immediately surrounding the hand. In traditional articles of athletic glovewear, the various layers may be joined with an adhesive, and stitching may be utilized to join elements within a single layer or to reinforce specific areas of the glove.

Various materials may be utilized in manufacturing a glove. The upper of an article of athletic footwear, for example, may be formed from multiple material layers that include an exterior layer, an intermediate layer, and an interior layer. The materials forming the exterior layer of the upper may be selected based upon the properties of wear-resistance, flexibility, and air-permeability, for example. The exterior layer of the glove may be formed, therefore, from numerous material elements that each impart different properties to specific portions of the glove.

Cycling gloves having a seamless palm in accordance with the present invention aid a cyclist in gripping the handlebar of a bicycle because the seamless glove palm avoids additional pressure points in the cyclist's hands and the seamless glove palm minimizes the occurrence of numbness of the hands of the cyclist.

While the term synthetic leather is used herein, it is intended that the use of a more expensive natural leather, rather than a synthetic material that is fabricated so as to imitate natural leather, is also encompassed by the term synthetic leather.

When athletic gloves constructed and arranged in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure are worn, the upper layer of the glove palm is exposed, and this upper layer aids in the gripping of an object such as the handlebar of a bicycle. The upper layer of the glove palm may be composed of synthetic, natural, or engineered leather, such as Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather.

The seamless palm pocket or seamless palm section of material may be made of a variety of materials, such as leather, synthetic leather, Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather, foamed material, gel, latex, rubber or mixtures or combinations thereof. Further, the seamless palm pocket may include pads made of a partly compressible material for added comfort, for example, open cell and/or closed cell foams.

In one embodiment of the invention, the body of the glove can be made of, for example, a mesh material or a moisture-wicking material. Additional layer(s) of leather or leatherette material are placed in the thumb-index web space to enhance wear properties of the glove. The materials used for the body of the glove can be of varying colors and patterns to enhance the visual appearance of the glove and to suit personal preference. The seamless palm pocket or the seamless glove palm may be sewn into the palmar aspect of the body of the glove between a thinner layer of material inside the glove and the thicker, more durable leatherette outer material.

In one embodiment, the glove may comprise a liner, an overlayer and at least one covering layer. The liner may comprise a flexible material and is adapted to be worn on at least a portion of the body of the wearer. The overlayer may comprise a milled polymer and is adapted to cover at least a portion of the liner and is secured to the liner. The covering layer may comprise a polymer and is adhering to and covering at least a portion of the overlayer. The milled polymer may be milled rubber.

In one embodiment, the liner of the glove may comprise comprises a thumb stall for holding a thumb of the wearer. The liner also may comprise at least one finger stall for holding at least one finger of the wearer. There may be up to four finger stalls. The overlayer may cover substantially all of the liner or may cover only a portion of the liner.

The covering layer may cover the whole of the overlayer, in particular the palm and finger and thumb stall portions of the overlayer. This is beneficial because the covering layer then provides enhanced grip which is of considerable importance in industrial handling environment and promotes comfort and safety.

The covering layer may cover at least a portion of any part of the liner which is not covered by the overlayer. The covering layer may cover substantially the whole of the overlayer and the whole of the liner (i.e., the whole of the glove). This is particularly advantageous in, e.g., gloves for outdoor use because it provides added moisture protection. Alternatively, the covering layer may cover the glove only partially. For example, in the case of a glove, the covering layer may cover the palm side of the glove but cover the dorsal-side only partially from the distal end to just over the knuckles (knuckle-covering).

In some embodiments, the liner has a palm (palmar) side and a back hand (dorsal) side and the overlayer covers substantially the whole of the palm side of the liner. This is advantageous because the overlayer provides cut, abrasion, and puncture protection and the palm side of the liner is the most vulnerable to abrasion, cutting, or puncturing during athletic use or industrial handling.

In one embodiment, the liner may comprise at least one finger stall having a proximal end and a distal end and the overlayer may be adapted to extend over the distal end of the finger stall or each finger stall thereby covering the tip of the or each finger stall. This is advantageous because it provides enhanced cut, abrasion, or puncture protection to the tips of the user's fingers when the glove is in use. The liner may comprise a thumb stall which also has a proximal end and a distal end and the overlayer is adapted to extend from the proximal to the distal end and over the distal end of the thumb stall thereby covering the tip of the thumb stall. This is important because handling requires opposition between the fingers and the thumb of the wearer and so the thumb may also require enhanced protection from abrasion, cutting, or puncturing.

In one embodiment the liner comprises a flexible, fabric material, which may be made by generally any method known by a person skilled in the art. The liner may be formed by a cut and sewn process (for example from two pieces of knitted or woven fabric sewn together). Alternatively, the liner may be made by a knitting process. Knitted liners are advantageous because they may be made in a seamless manner using, for example, glove knitting machines. In this case a liner, which is suitable for covering the hand of the wearer, comprises a knitted liner. Knitted liners for use in gloves are often made at 10 gauge (i.e., about 10 stitches per inch) but any other gauge may be used if desired (the machines are usually gauged at 7, 10, 15 and/or 18 gauge; 7 gauge being the heaviest and bulkiest and 18 gauge being the finest). The flexible material of the liner may be selected from the group consisting of cotton, polycotton, steel, glass, polyaramid (for example, Kevlar™), wool, polyamide (for example, nylon 66), polyester, polyethylene (for example, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, UHMWPE including those fibers sold under the name Dyneema™) and combinations thereof. Yarns of these materials may be formed into fabrics for use in the liner using any process known in the textile art (including weaving and/or knitting). The choice of the flexible material will depend to a certain extent on the needs of the wearer with regard to comfort and also on the degree of cut, puncturing and abrasion resistance required of the gloves.

In various embodiments, the fabric of the liner may be a Jersey knitted fabric. Jersey knitted fabric is, typically, made from two counts of yarn: a coarse yarn that forms the inner knitted surface of the liner and at least one fine yarn that ultimately forms the smoother outer surface of the liner. The inner coarse yarn is heavily brushed to raise the cotton staples giving a soft, fluffy, comfortable feel to the glove. Jersey fabric is often used in heavy work gloves because the fabric is comfortable and the bulk of the raised staples act as a shock absorber during heavy work. In some embodiments, a Thermal Lite liner may be used.

The overlayer may be secured to the liner by generally any suitable method (e.g., mechanical fixings). In some embodiments, the overlay is preferably adhesively secured to the liner. In the case of a milled rubber overlayer, the adhesive is preferable a mastic comprising rubber mixed with a solvent.

In one embodiment of the invention, a strap may be present at the lower portion of the glove arising from the radial side of the body of the glove. Velcro™ loop material, or the like, may be attached to the undersurface of this strap. Velcro™ hook material, or the like, may be attached to the proximal surface of the ulnar portion of the glove body to co-act with the loop material and create a means by which the strap can be adjustably secured to the body of the glove. The glove can include insulating, heat retaining materials such as Thinsulate™. Alternatively, the glove may be insulated using other heat retaining materials such as Primaloft®.

In one embodiment, a glove palm is at least partially formed from a textile element that defines an interior void for comfortably receiving a hand and securing a position of the hand relative to glove structure. Various edges of textile elements are then secured together to form the shape of the glove palm. In some embodiments, textile elements may form all of the glove palm, substantially all of the glove palm, or textile elements may only be a portion of the glove palm.

This disclosure provides methods for seamlessly knitting a glove palm for a glove. Circular knitting and warp knitting are examples of processes for forming the glove palm portion. Warp knitting is a family of knitting methods in which the yarn zigzags along the length of the fabric, i.e., following adjacent columns (“wales”) of knitting, rather than a single row (“course”). The circular or weft knitting process includes knitting one yarn around the perimeter of a circular tube. Woven fabrics usually offer dimensional stability; whereas weft knitted fabrics are typically more elastic. Warp knitted fabrics combine these two properties: they can be produced as dimensionally stable, elastic as well as highly elastic. Warp knit fabrics are typically used for athletic apparel, swimwear, and intimate apparel where a more durable knit fabric is needed.

Although the materials selected for different parts of a glove may vary significantly, textile materials often form at least a portion of the exterior layer and interior layer. A textile may be defined as any manufacture from fibers, filaments, or yarns characterized by flexibility, fineness, and a high ratio of length to thickness.

Textiles generally fall into two categories. The first category includes textiles produced directly from webs of filaments or fibers by randomly interlocking to construct non-woven fabrics and felts. The second category includes textiles formed through a mechanical manipulation of yarn, thereby producing a woven fabric, for example.

The various techniques for mechanically manipulating yarn into a textile include interweaving, intertwining and twisting, and interlooping. Interweaving is the intersection of two yarns that cross and interweave at right angles to each other. The yarns utilized in interweaving are conventionally referred to as warp and weft. Intertwining and twisting encompasses procedures such as braiding and knotting where yarns intertwine with each other to form a textile. Interlooping involves the formation of a plurality of columns of intermeshed loops, with knitting being the most common method of interlooping.

In one embodiment, the glove palm is formed from a textile element and may also include padding or insulation or other elements associated with a conventional palm portion for gloves. The textile element is a single material element that is formed to exhibit a unitary (i.e., one-piece) construction, and the textile element is formed or otherwise shaped to extend around the hand. The textile element may be formed as a part of a larger textile element. The textile element is then removed from the larger textile element to form the shape of glove palm portion.

The textile element is a single material element with a unitary construction, as discussed above. As defined for purposes of the present embodiment, unitary construction and/or “seamless” is intended to express a configuration wherein portions of a textile element are not joined together by seams or other connections. The textile element is primarily formed from one or more yarns that are mechanically-manipulated through either an interweaving, intertwining and twisting, or interlooping process, for example. As discussed, interweaving is the intersection of two yarns that cross and interweave at right angles to each other. The yarns utilized in interweaving are conventionally referred to as warp and weft. Intertwining and twisting encompasses procedures such as braiding and knotting where yarns intertwine with each other to form a textile. Interlooping involves the formation of a plurality of columns of intermeshed loops, with knitting being the most common method of interlooping. Textile element may, therefore, be formed from one of these processes for manufacturing a textile. Accordingly, the seamless palm of the present invention is intended to be a configuration wherein a section of the palm, typically the gripping section of the palm, does not have a seam or other connection. Although the seamless palm gripping section may be connected by a seam to another section of the palm, the present invention still has the advantages disclosed herein as long as the gripping section of the palm portion does not contain a seam or other connection.

A suitable knitting machine for forming textile elements is a wide-tube circular knitting machine that is produced in the Lonati Group by Santoni S.p.A. of Italy under the SM8 TOP1 model number. A wide-tube circular knitting machine, as produced by Santoni S.p.A., forms a generally cylindrical textile structure and is capable of forming various types of stitches within a single textile structure. In general, the wide-tube circular knitting machine may be programmed to alter the design on the textile structure through needle selection. That is, the type of stitch that is formed at each location on the textile structure may be selected by programming the wide-tube circular knitting machine such that specific needles either accept or do not accept yarn at each stitch location. In this manner, various patterns, textures, or designs may be selectively and purposefully imparted to the textile structure.

Without intending to limit the invention, in order to provide the stretch and recovery properties to glove materials and/or textile elements a yarn that incorporates an elastane fiber may be utilized. Such elastane fibers are available from E.I. duPont de Nemours Company under the Lycra trademark. Such fibers may have the configuration of covered Lycra, wherein the fiber includes a Lycra core that is surrounded by a nylon sheath. One suitable yarn, for example, includes a 70 denier elastane core that is covered with nylon having a 2 ply, 80 denier, 92 filament structure. Other fibers or filaments exhibiting elastic properties may also be utilized, to include but not limited to spandex, elaspan, creora, roica, dorlastan, linel and espa.

As discussed above, a yarn that incorporates elastane fibers is suitable for textile elements. A plurality of other yarns, whether elastic or inelastic, is also suitable for the textile elements. The characteristics of the yarn selected for textile elements depend primarily upon the materials that form the various filaments and fibers. Cotton, for example, provides a soft hand, natural aesthetics, and biodegradability. Elastane fibers, as discussed above, provide substantial stretch and recoverability. Rayon provides high luster and moisture absorption.

Wool also provides high moisture absorption, in addition to insulating properties. Polytetrafluoroethylene coatings may provide a low friction contact between the textile and the skin. Nylon is a durable and abrasion-resistant material with high strength. Finally, polyester is a hydrophobic material that also provides relatively high durability. Accordingly, the materials comprising the yarn may be selected to impart a variety of physical properties to textile element, and the physical properties may include, for example, strength, stretch, support, stiffness, recovery, fit, and form.

If different functionality is required in different parts of the glove, two different yarns having different functional properties can be incorporated into the single layer of the glove in certain aspects. Thus, if it is important to provide cut resistance to the fingers only, including the thumb, then the thumb section and the finger sections can be a cut resistant yarn, such as an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) (sold, for example, under the trade name Dyneema®) or a para-aramid (sold, for example, under the trade name Kevlar®) or any other cut resistance yarn. In conjunction with this, the upper and lower palm sections could be a low cost elastic yarn. By way of example, the low cost elastic yarn can be spandex (sold under the trade name Lycra®).

In another embodiment, a first yarn having a first characteristic such as cut resistance and a second yarn having a different characteristic, such as absorption, can be knitted together into a single layer, and can be used in any part of the glove. Thus, a unique combination of characteristics—cut resistance and moisture absorption—can be obtained.

Another combination can be the use of a yarn having a high absorption rate, such as wool, and the use of a high performance, cut resistant yarn, such as Kevlar or Dyneema. Other combinations are possible. For example, the first yarn used could be a cut resistant yarn and the second yarn used could be an abrasion resistant yarn. Thus, the cut resistant yarn could be Kevlar or Dyneema or wire-containing The abrasion resistant yarns are made from a material able to withstand the effects of wear. In an aspect, abrasion resistant yarns include a high hardness material such as fiberglass or other materials having a Mohs hardness of 3 or greater. Examples of abrasion resistant yarns that can be used include 2/70/34 textured nylon 66 filament and 2/70/34 textured nylon 6.

Another combination of yarns that can be used in the glove includes a first type of cut resistant yarn and a second type of cut resistant yarn. Thus, the first cut resistant yarn can be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the second cut resistant yarn can be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the thumb area), or vice versa. The first cut resistant yarn may be Kevlar and the second cut resistant yarn may be Dyneema.

Another combination of yarns that can be used in the glove is a cut resistant yarn and a comfort thermal regulating yarn. Thus, the cut resistant yarn can be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the comfort thermal regulating yarn can be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove body). The cut resistant yarn can be Kevlar or Dyneema. The comfort thermal regulating yarn may include a phase change material. Examples of the comfort thermal regulating yarn include the Outlast® Acrylic and the Outlast® Viscose yarns.

Another combination of yarns that can be used in the glove is a cut resistant yarn and an antimicrobial yarn. Thus, the cut resistant yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the antimicrobial yarn may be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove palm). The cut resistant yarn may be Kevlar or Dyneema. The antimicrobial yarn may include antimicrobial ingredients embedded in fibers. Examples of antimicrobial yarns include A.M.Y.® yarns from Unifi or yarns treated with AEGIS Microbe Shield® technology from AEGIS Environments.

Further combinations of yarns may be used in the glove. Thus, in one embodiment, a plied yarn and a non-plied yarn may be used in the glove. The plied yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the non-plied yarn may be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove body). Examples of plied yarns include 16/2 Kevlar® or 10/3 cotton. Examples of non-plied yarns include 16/1 Kevlar® or 10/1 cotton.

Another combination of yarns that may be used in the glove 10 is a spun yarn and a filament yarn. The spun yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the filament yarn can be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove body area). Examples of spun yarns include 16/1 Dyneema®-nylon blend or 14/1 cotton or 36/1 DRYENERGY™ polyester/cotton from Achieve o2. Examples of filament yarns include 2/70/34 air-jet textured nylon 66 or 2/70/68 Nilit® Aquarius textured nylon 66.

A further combination of yarns that may be used in the glove is a composite (gimped) yarn and a noncomposite yarn. The composite (gimped) yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the noncomposite yarn may be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove palm area). Examples of composite (gimped) yarns include Powerguard® yarns containing Kevlar®, modacrylic, and glass from Culimeta-Saveguard. Examples of noncomposite yarns include 16/1 Kevlar® or 14/1 cotton.

Another embodiment of a combination of yarns that may be used in the glove is a synthetic yarn and a natural yarn. The synthetic yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the natural yarn may be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove body area). Examples of synthetic yarns include 12/2 polyester or 4/70/34 nylon 66 or 40 denier spandex. Examples of natural yarns include 14/1 alpaca or 8/1 bamboo or 20/2 cotton.

An additional combination of yarns that may be used in the glove is a first synthetic blended yarn and a second synthetic blended yarn. The first blended synthetic yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the second blended synthetic yarn may be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove palm area). Examples of blended synthetic yarns that can be used include 16/2 Kevlar®/nylon/Spandex blend or 14/1 Dyneema®/nylon blend.

Furthermore, an alternate combination of yarns that may be used in the glove is a first composite yarn and a second composite yarn. The first composite yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the second composite yarn may be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove body area). Examples of composite yarns that can be used include steel core wrapped by nylon 66 filament yarn or fiberglass core wrapped by spun polyester and steel.

Another combination of yarns that may be used in the glove is a first synthetic yarn and a second synthetic yarn. The first synthetic yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the second synthetic yarn may be used in a different area of the glove (e.g., the glove palm area). Examples of synthetic yarns that can be used include 10/2 nylon 66 or 2/70/68 nylon 6.

In one embodiment, a combination of yarns that may be used in the glove is a first natural yarn and a second natural yarn. The first natural yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the finger area) while the second natural yarn may be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the glove body). Examples of natural yarns that may be used include 40/1 cotton or 10/2 wool or 20/2 cashmere.

An additional and/or alternative combination of yarns that may be used in the glove is a textured yarn and a non-textured yarn. The textured yarn may be used in one area of the glove (e.g., the glove body) while the non-textured yarn may be used in another area of the glove (e.g., the finger area). Examples of textured yarns that can be used include 2/70/34 air-jet textured nylon 66 or 2/100/92 false-twist textured nylon 66. Examples of non-textured yarns that can be used include 70/68 flat nylon 66 or 940 denier Innegra™ S polypropylene from Innegrity.

Other combinations known in the art may be used in various embodiments, such as those combinations described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,239 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/473,473, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments, the glove is has a seamless glove palm of high support performance knitted by flat knitting. The glove may also comprise a seamless glove palm and palmar side finger areas. The seamless glove palm and/or the palmar side finger areas may have a base knitted fabric set up knitting from a tip of finger toward a mouth or from the mouth toward the tip of finger and knitted in such a manner that respective fingers, a four-finger body, a five-finger body are knitted on a rib knit structure basis using a stretch elastic yarn, and an elastic yarn in a tensed state is inlaid in the base knitted fabric. The base knitted fabric is knitted on a rib jacquard structure basis, and the inlay yarn is knotted at a location at which the knitting of the finger starts and at a finger crotch part, to prevent cast-off of the inlay yarn.

Further, such knitting techniques may be employed, in some embodiments, to connect the palmar side of the glove to the dorsal side of the glove. These knitting techniques may also be used for the thumb crotch or crotch sections between the finger areas of the glove. Knitting techniques such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,437,895 issued to Okuno on Oct. 21, 2008, (“Okuno”) may also be utilized. Okuno is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a seamless glove of high support performance knitted by a flat knitting machine, wherein the glove has seamless sections (e.g., a seamless glove palm) comprised of a base knitted fabric set up knitting that are knitted from a tip of finger toward a mouth or from the mouth toward the tip of finger and knitted in such a manner that respective fingers, a four-finger body, a five-finger body are knitted on a rib knit structure basis using a stretch elastic yarn, and wherein an elastic yarn in a tensed state is inlaid in the knitted fabric.

In one embodiment, the knitted fabric of the glove may be knitted on a rib jacquard structure basis.

In some embodiments, the knitting may set up from the tip of finger toward the mouth, the inlay yarn is knotted at least at a location at which the knitting of the finger starts and at a finger crotch part, to prevent cast-off of the inlay yarn, and a front part and a back part of each finger are knitted to be combined with each other by rib knitting of high stitch density, so that when the glove is put in a reversed state, a flat gore is formed at the finger crotch part.

In some embodiments, in order to prevent loosening of the knitted fabric, cross-over yarns extending to locations at which the knitting of the fingers starts and locations at which the knitting of the finger crotches and the knitting of the wrist part are ended are knotted at those locations, respectively.

Further, in certain embodiments the same knitting may be carried out for the other finger crotch parts. Specifically, the respective finger crotch parts may be rib-knitted with successive needles. The rib-knitted parts have a higher stitch density than the remaining parts and besides each finger is knitted with its front and back parts combined, so that when the glove knitted inside out is reversed for wearing, the edge yarns are hidden in the inside and flat gore are formed at the finger crotches. The thumb crotch may also be knitted in a similar manner.

When the glove is knitted in such a manner that an amount supplied of the elastic yarn to be inlaid is adjusted in accordance with dimensions of the parts, such as the fingers, the four-finger body, and the five-finger body, to vary a pressure exerted on the skin when a wearer puts on the glove, a higher quality glove can be obtained. This is one of the variants of the present invention. Further, when the fingers are knitted, an amount supplied of the elastic yarn may be adjusted so that the pressure exerted on the skin can be gradually varied from the tip of figure.

In one embodiment, the glove may also optionally include a coating over at least a part of the single knitted ply. The coating can be made from a natural rubber latex or synthetic rubber latex, or other elastomeric polymer coatings. The coating can be applied by dipping the knitted glove into the coating material or by spraying the coating onto the glove. Coating the knitted gloves can improve the grip of the glove in handling dry and oily items when the coating is on the outside of the glove. The coating can be, by way of example only, polyurethane, nitrile, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, PVC; the coating can be unfoamed or foamed. Foamed nitrile further provides grip. A polyurethane coating provides breathability. The coating used can depend on the preferred characteristics of the glove. It may also depend on the type of yarns used. The coating can be selectively applied over any desired area of the glove.

In certain embodiments, these coating materials include, for example, non-slip coatings to enhance grip, puncture-resistant coatings and cut-resistant coatings to further enhance the cut-resistant properties of the knitted liner. The coating materials will typically be impervious polymeric materials, and are therefore only coated on the surfaces of the glove that are involved in grip or are most likely to come into contact with sharp objects. The coating can be formed from a natural rubber latex or synthetic rubber latex, or other elastomeric polymer coatings. The coating may be applied by dipping the knitted glove into the coating material or by spraying the coating onto the glove. Coating the knitted gloves can improve the grip of the glove in handling dry and oily items when the coating is on the outside of the glove. The coating may be, by way of example only, polyurethane, nitrile, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, and/or PVC, alone or in combinations; and the coating may be unfoamed or foamed.

The coating may be applied to the glove material by any suitable means known in the art. Preferably, the glove material is dipped in the liquid polymer or suitable latex emulsion to form the desired pattern of coverage and the polymer is allowed to set under conditions appropriate for the coating material selected. This coating process is within the skill in the art. Further, any combination of the polymer coatings described herein can be used with any combination of the yarns previously described. In a preferred aspect, the coatings applied are formed by coating the glove material with a coagulant and dipping the coated glove material into an aqueous latex compound to achieve the desired coverage. The coagulant coating preferably includes soft water, calcium nitrate and sodium diamyl sulfosuccinate (AY 65% Surfactant).

The glove may also optionally include a cuff section attached to the palm section. There can also be a slit in the cuff section. A strap can be provided on the cuff section. Velcro can be provided on the strap and on the cuff section to allow the strap to be secured. The strap can be formed of comfortable material such as neoprene.

In addition to varying the stitch types to form textures, the type of yarn utilized in various areas of textile elements may be changed to impart different properties. Yarn may be formed from cotton, wool, elastane, rayon, nylon, and polyester, for example. Each of these yarn types may impart differing properties. For example, elastane may be utilized to impart stretch, wool may be utilized for insulation, and nylon may be utilized for durability. Accordingly, different yarn types may be utilized to impart different properties. The types of knitting that may be utilized to form different zones with different properties (e.g., yarn characteristics, textures, etc.) may vary significantly to include the various warp knitting and weft knitting processes discussed earlier, such as tricot, raschel, double needle-bar raschel, circular knitting, and flat knitting, for example.

A double needle-bar raschel is one example of a warp knit machine which can knit two sides of fabric at one time. It is possible to use this type of machine to knit a warp knit tube by stitching the two sides of the fabric together during the knitting process. A warp knitting machine can be engineered to knit a shaped tube by utilizing a jacquard double needle bar machine. A electronic jacquard double needle bar can make a shaped tube with an engineered construction. There are a number of possibilities for glove design and performance. The following can be adjusted in order to create gloves for specific applications: yarn types (such as, elastic, non-eleastic, yarn size, fiber type (such as denier, composition, polyester, nylon, etc.)), stitch construction (such as mexh, more closed or open for breathability and/or durability), for stretch and/or elastic propertis, rigidty (for support and fit), size (for glove fit).

Any desired type of cutting operation may be utilized without departing from the invention, including, for example, die cutting, laser cutting, hand cutting, and the like. Also, any desired type of material may be used without departing from this invention. The material may be a material having a higher modulus of elasticity (e.g., more resistant to tensile stretching forces and/or providing a higher compression force) as compared to that of the fabric elements making up other portions of the glove palm and/or glove structure (e.g., compared to the stretch resistance or compressive force applying capability for the spandex, cotton, polyester, or other fabric elements making up the structure).

In some embodiments, a seamless glove palm component formed via warp knitting and/or circular knitting is configured to fit a glove last and heat set into shape. The seamless glove palm is then attached to an upper glove portion, a lower glove portion, and/or a glove body, for example, to create a finished glove. In some embodiments the glove palm can be knitted and/or joined to an inner glove liner where one or both of the glove palm and inner glove liner form an exoskeleton, a cinching, or closer system to be filled with padding and/or insulation.

In one embodiment, the knitted fabrics of the glove palm are not of substantially uniform thickness, but instead form contours, ridges, or patterns.

In one embodiment, only the glove palm of the glove is of seamless knit. In another embodiment, the entire glove, to include the glove palm, is of seamless knit.

While various configurations of the glove are herein specified, this description is only exemplary and is not intended to limit or otherwise narrow the invention. The glove can include any number of layers in any potential combination thereof as desired for achieving the comfort properties and padding provided by the glove. Further, it shall be understood that the glove may be formed from layers, such layers may individually be formed of a uniform, monolithic material construction or, alternatively, such layers can themselves be composed of a plurality of material layers.

It will also be understood that the finger portions of the glove can be cut anywhere along the length of cyclist's fingers. While cycling hand gloves are shown as having long fingers, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the cycling hand glove can be short finger gloves, including hand gloves that are constructed and arranged for use in summer or winter temperatures.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the glove and its features, to include its seamless palm, need not be limited to those specific embodiments described above. Other forms, shapes or designs that enable the foregoing aspects of the present invention are hereby incorporated into this disclosure.

In one embodiment of the invention, the location of the seams and the seamless palm area is identified with reference to specific boney regions of the hand, so as to direct pressure and/or force substantially through the one or more boney regions or bones of the hand. In one embodiment, the boney regions of the hands that receive pressure and/or force comprise the pisoform, hamate, scaphoid, and trapezium bones.

Although the invention has been described with application to gripping, the invention also finds application to leaning For example, when a bicycle rider leans or pushes against bicycle handlebars for extended periods rather than grips the handlebar or alternately grips and leans against the handlebar.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may have various sizes. The sizes of the various elements of embodiments of the present disclosure may be sized based on various factors including, for example, the anatomy of the user or cyclist, and the device being handled by the user such as bicycle.

One or ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be constructed of materials known to provide, or predictably manufactured to provide the various aspects of the present disclosure. For example, materials used in the interior and/or exterior of the seamless palm or glove palm pocket may include, for example, rubber, latex, synthetic rubber, and other fiber-encased resinous materials, synthetic materials, polymers, and natural materials.

This Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention, and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.

The above-described benefits, embodiments, and/or characterizations are not necessarily complete or exhaustive, and in particular, as to the patentable subject matter disclosed herein. Other benefits, embodiments, and/or characterizations of the present disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, as set forth above and/or described in the accompanying figures and/or in the description herein below. However, the Detailed Description of the Invention, the drawing figures, and the claims set forth herein, taken in conjunction with this Summary of the Invention, define the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the Detailed Description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosures.

FIG. 1A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of an embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 1B is a top-view of the palmar-side of the embodiment of the glove of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of a second embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 2B is a top-view of the palmar-side of a second embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 3A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of a third embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 3B is a top-view of the palmar-side of a third embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 4A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of a fourth embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 4B is a top-view of the palmar-side of a fourth embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a hand gripping a cylindrical sporting implement;

FIG. 6 is a elevation view of bones of a hand in a glove;

FIG. 7A is a schematic anatomical view of the palmar-side of selected bones and nerves of the human hand;

FIG. 7B is a schematic anatomical view of the palmar-side of selected bones of the human hand;

FIG. 8 is a top-view of the palmar-side of bones of a hand in an embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 9 is a top-view of the palmar-side of bones of a hand in an embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 10 is a top-view of the palmar-side of bones of a hand in an embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 11 is a top-view of the palmar-side of bones of a hand in an embodiment of a glove;

FIG. 12 is a cyclist gripping handle ars;

FIG. 13 is a person gripping the handle of one embodiment of a sporting implement;

FIG. 14A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of a fifth embodiment of a glove; and

FIG. 14B is a top-view of the palmar-side of a fifth embodiment of a glove.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention described herein relates to a glove, used in any application where a seam on the part of the palm used to grip a cylinder (such as a bicycle handlebar) may cause a problem. Such applications include athletic activities that involve prolonged or intense gripping or squeezing of hard objects, which can adversely affect critical nerve regions in the athlete's arm. One such application is cycling. The glove described herein involves the seaming of a glove, with particular attention to the location of the seaming relative to anatomic structures of the hand and the contact points when gripping. The glove seaming is not located substantially over boney pillars of the palmar-side of the hand in order to eliminate additional pressure caused when the seam is in contact with the handlebar while cycling or gripping. The glove seaming is located at discrete positions of the palm.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, several embodiments of the present invention are shown. In regard to FIGS. 1A-1B, top-views of one embodiment of a glove are provided. FIG. 1A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of the glove, and FIG. 1B is a top-view of the palmar-side of the glove. Thus, as shown in each of FIGS. 1A and 1B, a glove 10 that fits over a human hand is shown with lower glove portion 12 and upper glove portion 14, the glove 10 comprising a main glove body 20 and a palm hammock 1, a finger area 30 and thumb area 34.

The glove 10 may be fitted with glove holes or gaps (not shown in FIG. 1B) on the finger area 30. In other embodiments, the glove holes may be fitted to the glove thumb area 34 and/or to the main glove body area 20 (not shown). The palmar-side of the glove 10 as shown in FIG. 1B may have one or more pads located on the glove palm 24 (not shown).

Additionally, the glove 10 may comprise a seamless thumb crotch 36 with a synthetic leather overlay. The synthetic leather may be any synthetic leather material listed herein or otherwise known in the art (e.g., Chicron).

In regard to FIGS. 2A-2B, top-views of one embodiment of a glove are provided. FIG. 2A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of the glove, and FIG. 2B is a top-view of the palmar-side of the glove. Thus, as shown in each of FIGS. 2A and 2B, a glove 10 that fits over a human hand is shown with lower glove portion 12 and upper glove portion 14, the glove 10 comprising a main glove body 20 and a glove palm 24, a finger area 30 and thumb area 34. The lower glove portion 12 may comprise a glove cuff 26 at the bottom of the lower glove. In some embodiments, the cuff 26 may be a lycra bound cuff. The dorsal side of the glove 10 (FIG. 2A) may be attached to the palmar side of the glove 10 by material comprising the side glove 22. The side glove may have synthetic leather that wraps to the top of the index fingers. The synthetic leather may be any type of synthetic leather such as, for example, Chicron, which is a brand name material and may refer to either a microfibre base for polyurethane (“PU”) leather or a synthetic leather material comprised of approximately 60% nylon and 40% PU non-knit fabric.

The glove 10 may be fitted with glove holes or gaps (not shown in FIG. 2B) on the finger area 30. In other embodiments, the glove holes may be fitted to the glove thumb area 34 and/or to the main glove body area 20 (not shown). The glove 10 may further comprise a closure tab 40, which affixes to the closure tab receiving area 42. To aid in putting the glove on and removing the glove and ensuring a secure fit, the lower glove portion and the glove cuff 26 may include a gusset 46. The glove 10 may also comprise a tab 44 for labels or reflective material. The tab 44 may be positioned on the lower glove portion 12 and may be a thermoplastic rubber (“TPR”) tab.

The palmar-side of the glove 10 as shown in FIG. 2B may have one or more pads located on the glove palm 24 (not shown).

FIG. 2A also shows a glove 10 with a wrapped finger construction 32. This means that the material from the palmer side of the glove 10 wraps around the tips of the fingers to the dorsal side of the glove 10 such that the tips of the fingers are seamless. Additionally, the glove 10 may comprise a seamless thumb crotch 36 with a synthetic leather overlay. The synthetic leather may be any synthetic leather material listed herein or otherwise known in the art (e.g., Chicron).

Referring now in detail to FIGS. 3A-3B, top-views of a second embodiment of a glove are provided. FIG. 3A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of the glove and FIG. 3B is a top-view of the palmar-side of the glove. FIGS. 3A and 3B show additional or alternative detail as compared to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Thus FIGS. 3A and 3B show a second embodiment of a glove 10 that fits over a human hand with a lower glove portion 12 and an upper glove portion 14. The glove 10 also comprises a main glove body 20, glove palm 24, finger area 30, and thumb area 34. The palmar-side of the glove 10 may have one or more pads located on the glove palm 24 (not shown).

In some embodiments, the glove 10 is comprised of one or more layers: an exterior layer and an interior layer or liner. Further, the glove 10 may have additional layers such as insulation. The exterior of the glove 10 may comprise screened silicone 48. In one embodiment, the screened silicone 48 may be located on the dorsal-side of an index finger section, the palmar-side of an index finger section, the palmar-side of a middle finger section, and the glove body 20 (dorsal-side). The screened silicone 48 may comprise logos or other wording and/or symbols. The screened silicone 48 may also be screened transparent silicone.

Further, contrast stitching 50 may be used to secure two pieces of material together and for added aesthetics.

The lower glove portion 12 may comprise a glove cuff 26 at the bottom of the lower glove. In some embodiments, the cuff 26 may be a lycra bound cuff. In other embodiments, the cuff may be a different synthetic material or even a natural material.

In some embodiments, the dorsal side of the glove 10 (FIG. 3A) may be attached to the palmar side of the glove 10 (FIG. 3B) by material comprising the side glove 22. In various embodiments, the side glove 22 may be mesh, lycra, synthetic material, or natural material. The side glove 22 may have synthetic leather that wraps to the top of the index fingers. In various embodiments, any synthetic leather now know or later developed may be used. For example, Chicron or Pittards may be used in one embodiment. The side of the glove 10 opposite the thumb area 34 may include a synthetic leather side wrap construction 62 to avoid seams on that side of the glove 10. In various embodiments, any synthetic leather now know or later developed may be used, such as Pittards for example. The glove 10 may also include a thumb crotch 36. The thumb crotch 36 may be seamless and have a synthetic leather, or natural material, overlay with no crotch seam.

The glove 10 may further comprise a closure tab 40, which affixes to the closure tab receiving area 42. The closure tab 40 may comprise direct TPR 52. To aid in putting the glove on and removing the glove and ensuring a secure fit, the lower glove portion 12 and the glove cuff 26 may include a gusset 46. The glove 10 may also comprise a tab 44 for labels and/or reflective material. Additionally, a tag 60 may label other components, such as the Primaloft® insulation. The tag 60 may be a woven label or other type of tag.

In one embodiment, the exterior layer of the glove 10 may be comprised of multiple different materials (labeled A-F in FIGS. 3A and 3B). Softshell material A may cover the glove body 20 (i.e., the dorsal side of the glove 10), the dorsal side of the lower glove portion 12, and the palmar-side of the lower glove portion 12. Any type of softshell material or similar material known in the art may be used in place of softshell in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, natural material B may be leather. In other embodiments, natural material may be Pittards® Natural Carbon Leather. Natural material B may cover the palm section 24, the palmar side of one or more finger areas 30, and the thumb crotch 36 as indicated. The Natural material B may also extend over the distal tips of one or more finger areas 30 (i.e., the wrap finger construction 32) and the thumb area 34 on the dorsal (back) side of the gloves 10, as shown. Specifically, Natural material B may cover the palmar-side of the pinky finger and the ring finger. Further, the seamless suspension between the pinky finger and thumb may comprise Natural material B. Thus, the seamless palm section may be Natural material B. In one embodiment, the Natural material B may be Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather. Additionally, the thumb crotch 36 may also include a synthetic leather overlay without a crotch seam. The synthetic leather may be Chicron in one embodiment. A material that is breathable and does not slip is preferred in some embodiments. Synthetic leather C may cover the palmar side of one or more finger areas 30 as indicated. The synthetic leather C may also extend over the distal tips of one or more finger areas 30 (i.e., the wrap finger construction 32) on the dorsal (back) side of the gloves 10, as shown. Specifically, synthetic leather C may cover the palmar-side of the index finger and the middle finger. Screened silicone may cover the synthetic leather C and/or the palmar-side of the index and middle fingers. An optic cloth D may cover the dorsal-side of the thumb area 34 and wrap around the side and distal tip of the thumb area 34 onto the palmar-side of the glove 10. Softshell E may cover the dorsal side of the upper glove portion 14. In some embodiments, E may be another material, such as a synthetic material or brand name synthetic material. Synthetic leather F (which may be Chicron in some embodiments) may cover the side glove area 22 and the area between the dorsal-side and palmar-side of the finger area 30.

Referring now in detail to FIGS. 4A-4B, top-views of a third embodiment of a glove are provided.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted in FIG. 4A, a top-view of the dorsal-side of the glove 10. A glove 10 that fits over a human hand is shown with a lower glove 12 portion and an upper glove portion 14. The glove 10 comprises a main glove body 20, finger area 30 (dorsal-side shown), and thumb area 34 (dorsal-side shown).

FIG. 4B shows a top-view of the palmar-side of the glove 10 depicted in FIG. 4A. A glove 10 that fits over a human hand is shown with a lower glove 12 portion and an upper glove portion 14. The glove 10 comprises a glove palm 24, finger area 30 (palmar-side shown), and thumb area 34 (palmar-side shown). The palmar-side of the glove 10 may have one or more pads located on the glove palm 24 (not shown).

In one embodiment, an exterior layer of the glove 10 may comprise a polymer material that covers the palm section and palmar-side of the finger areas 30. The polymer material may also extend over the distal tips of the plurality of finger areas 30 and the thumb area 34 onto the dorsal-side (i.e., back) of the gloves 10.

In some embodiments, the glove 10 is comprised of one or more layers: an exterior layer and an interior layer or liner. Additionally, the glove 10 may have additional layers such as insulation.

In various embodiments, contrast stitching, plain stitching, adhesives, or other interconnection mechanisms known in the art may be used to secure two pieces of material together.

The exterior of the glove 10 may comprise screened silicone 48. The screened silicone 48 may be located on the dorsal-side of an index finger section, the palmar-side of an index finger section, the palmar-side of a middle finger section, and the glove body 20 (dorsal-side). The screened silicone 48 may also be screened transparent silicone. In some embodiments, the glove is provided without any screened silicone.

The lower glove portion 12 may comprise a glove cuff 26 at the bottom (wrist end) of the glove or wrist section. In some embodiments, the cuff 26 may be a lycra bound cuff. In another embodiment, the cuff may be a different material, such as softshell, leather, synthetic leather, mesh, or any other material known in the art.

The dorsal side of the glove 10 (FIG. 4A) may be attached to the palmar side of the glove 10 (FIG. 4B) by material comprising the side glove 22. The side of the glove 10 opposite the thumb area 34 may include a leather side wrap construction to avoid seams on that side of the glove 10. In some embodiments, the side wrap may be Pittards. The glove 10 may also include a thumb crotch 36. The thumb crotch 36 may be seamless and have a Clarino overlay with no crotch seam.

The glove 10 may further comprise a closure tab 40, which affixes to the closure tab receiving area 42. The closure tab receiving area 42 may be located on a tab 44. The closure tab receiving area 42 may include hooks and the closure tab 40 may include loops to fasten the closure tab 40 to the closure tab receiving area 42 using the hook and loop combination (e.g., Velcro™). The closure tab receiving area 42 may also comprise screened TPR that may be reflective. The closure tab receiving area 42 may be composed of synthetic leather. The exterior of the closure tab 40 may comprise direct TPR 52, which may be reflective. To aid in putting the glove on and removing the glove and ensuring a secure fit, the lower glove portion 12 and the glove cuff 26 may include a gusset 46. Additionally, a tag 60 may label other components, such as the Primaloft® insulation. The tag 60 may be a woven label or other type of tag.

In some embodiments, the glove body 20 may comprise reflective material 56. Additionally or alternatively, any part of the dorsal side of the glove 10 may comprise reflective material 56.

In one embodiment, the exterior layer of the glove 10 may be comprised of multiple different materials (labeled A-D in FIGS. 4A and 4B). Softshell material A may cover the glove body 20 (i.e., the dorsal side of the glove 10), the dorsal side of the lower glove portion 12, the palmar-side of the lower glove portion 12, the dorsal side of the upper glove portion 14, and the tips (distal ends) of the dorsal side of one or more finger areas 30. More specifically, the softshell material A may cover the distal ends of the dorsal side of the index finger and middle finger. The softshell material A may cover the side glove area 22 and the area between the dorsal-side and palmar-side of the finger area 30 (shown in dark gray in FIGS. 4A and 4B). Pittards® Natural Carbon Leather or natural material B may cover the palm section 24, the palmar side of one or more finger areas 30, and the palmar side of the thumb area 34 as indicated. The natural material B may also extend over the distal tips of one or more finger areas 30 (i.e., a wrap finger construction) onto the dorsal (back) side of the glove 10, as shown. Specifically, natural material B may cover the palmar-side of the pinky finger and the ring finger and extend over the distal tips of the pinky and ring fingers onto the dorsal side of the pinky and ring fingers. Further, the seamless suspension between the pinky finger and thumb on the palmar side may comprise natural material B. Thus, the seamless palm section may be natural material B. In one embodiment, the natural material B may be Pittards® WR 100X Natural Carbon Leather. Synthetic leather C may cover the palmar side of one or more finger areas 30 and the thumb crotch as indicated. Specifically, synthetic leather C may cover the palmar-side of the index finger and the middle finger. Additionally, the thumb crotch 36 may also include a synthetic leather C overlay without a crotch seam. Screened silicone may cover the synthetic leather C and/or the palmar-side of the index and middle fingers. An optic cloth D may cover the dorsal-side of the thumb area 34 and wrap around the side and distal tip of the thumb area 34 onto the palmar-side of the glove 10. In various embodiments, the optical cloth may be any material that is soft and absorbent.

FIG. 5 is a simplified view of a curved ergonomic athletic glove 400 gripping a sporting implement handle 402. Four finger sheath cross-sections 404, 406, 408, and 410 and thumb sheath cross-section 412 are shown to illustrate that each of the fingers of a received hand is in a slightly different position while gripping the handle 402. Placement of the palm gusset below the area where the sporting implement comes in contact with the fingers and palm reduces seams in contact with the sporting implement. Cross-sections 404, 406, 408, and 410 illustrate the position of each finger of a received hand while the received hand is gripping a handle 402 by showing four horizontal cross-sections, one through each corresponding finger sheath. Pinky cross section is a cross-section of pinky finger sheath 404 gripping the handle 402. Ring finger cross-section is a cross-section of ring finger sheath 406 gripping the handle 402. Similarly, middle finger cross-section and index finger cross-section show cross-sections of middle finger sheath 408 and index finger sheath 410 gripping the handle 402. FIG. 5 additionally shows a cross-section of thumb sheath 412.

FIG. 6 shows a glove and the bones of a hand in the glove 10. The glove body 24 covers the middle of the hand. The central glove area 122 includes the glove body. The glove 10 includes pinky finger glove section 105 e, ring finger glove section 105 d, middle finger glove section 105 c, index finger glove section 105 b, thumb glove section 105 a, wrist section 120, connector material 110, and glove edge 130.

Referring now in detail to FIGS. 7A and 7B, schematic anatomical views of selected bones and nerves of the human hand from the palmar side are provided. Referring to FIG. 7A, a hand 70 is provided with median nerve 72 and ulnar nerve 74 depicted, and a metacarpal bone 100 (the first metacarpal bone is shown here, i.e., the metacarpal bone in the thumb), the trapezium bone 82, the scaphoid bone 80, and the pisiform bone 90.

Referring to FIG. 7B, a hand 70 is provided with all the metacarpal bones 100 (i.e., the first (thumb), second (index finger), third (middle finger), fourth (ring finger), and fifth (pinky finger) metacarpal bones of the hand), the wrist bones (i.e., the hamate bone 88, the trapezium bone 82, the scaphoid bone 80, the pisiform bone 90, the trapezoid bone 84, the capitate bone 86, the triquetrum bone 92, and the lunate bone 94), the proximal phalanx bones 102, the intermediate phalanx bones 104, and the distal phalanx bones 106.

In one embodiment, the one or more seams in the glove palm 24 are configured to not substantially overlap the wrist bones or lay between the user's wrist bones and the sporting implement (e.g., bicycle handlebars). Thus a seam in the glove palm 24 should not transfer additional force and/or pressure to one or more wrist bones (i.e., the hamate bone 88, the trapezium bone 82, the scaphoid bone 80, the pisiform bone 90, the trapezoid bone 84, the capitate bone 86, the triquetrum bone 92, and the lunate bone 94).

In one embodiment, the one or more seams in the palmar side of the glove 10 are configured to not substantially overlap or cover one or more of the proximal phalanx bones 102, the intermediate phalanx bones 104, and the distal phalanx bones 106. Thus, the one or more seams in the palmar side of the glove 10 should not be positioned between the user's proximal phalanx bones 102, intermediate phalanx bones 104, and distal phalanx bones 106 and the sporting implement (e.g., bicycle handlebars). Thus a seam in the palmar side of the glove 10 should not transfer additional force and/or pressure to the proximal phalanx bones 102, intermediate phalanx bones 104, and distal phalanx bones 106 and/or create a pressure point on the user's proximal phalanx bones 102, intermediate phalanx bones 104, and distal phalanx bones 106.

In one embodiment, the locations of the seams are identified with reference to specific boney regions of the hand, so as to not create additional pressure points when the seams come in contact with a sporting implement that the user grips. One seam on the glove palm 24 may begin between the base of the pinky and index fingers and curve toward the thumb. The seam may cross the base of the ring finger proximal phalanx bone 102, the distal end of the middle finger metacarpal bone 100, and slightly below the distal end of the index finger metacarpal bone 100. A second seam on the glove palm 24 may begin outside of the pinky finger and curve down and toward the base of the thumb. The second seam may cross slightly below the distal end of the pinky finger metacarpal bone 100 and across the base of the ring finger, middle finger, and index finger metacarpal bones 100 such that the seam is positioned above the wrist bones. The second seam may also cross the base of the thumb metacarpal bone 100.

In one embodiment, the seamless palm section may cover the upper portion of the palm and pass across the distal end of the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpal bones of the hand. The seamless palm section may also cover the proximal phalanx and part of the distal phalanx of the thumb.

In another embodiment, the seamless palm section suspended between the thumb and the pinky finger may cover the distal end of the third (middle finger) through the fifth (pinky finger) metacarpal and the thumb between the proximal phalanx and the distal phalanx of the thumb. A second seamless section may cover a portion of the proximal phalanx of each finger, a portion of the middle phalanx of each finger, and the distal phalanx of the middle and fourth fingers of each hand.

FIG. 8 shows the palmar side of one embodiment of a glove 10 with the bones of a hand in the glove 10. The glove of this embodiment comprises a palm hammock 1 with upper connection 3 and lower connection 5. The upper connection 3 and lower connection 5 may be a seam.

FIG. 9 shows the palmar side of one embodiment of a glove 10 with the bones of a hand in the glove 10. The glove of this embodiment comprises a palm hammock 1 with upper connection 3 and lower connection 5. The upper connection 3 and lower connection 5 may be a seam. The upper connection 3 and lower connection 5 seams of FIG. 9 are different from the connections shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows the palmar side of one embodiment of a glove 10 with the bones of a hand in the glove 10. The glove of this embodiment comprises a palm hammock 1 with upper connection 3 and lower connection 5. Further, the glove 10 may comprise thumb crotch seams 7 in one embodiment. The upper connection 3 and lower connection 5 may be a seam.

The upper connection 3 and lower connection 5 seams of FIG. 10 are shown differently from the connections shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 shows the palmar side of one embodiment of a glove 10 with the bones of a hand in the glove 10. The glove of this embodiment comprises a palm hammock 1 with upper connection 3 and lower connection 5. The upper connection 3 and lower connection 5 may be a seam. The upper connection 3 and lower connection 5 seams of FIG. 11 are different from the connections shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10.

FIG. 12 shows a person gripping bicycle handlebars. The handlebars comprise lower handlebars 512 and upper handlebars 510. The cyclist shown is gripping 500 the lower handlebars 512.

FIG. 13 shows a user gripping 200 one embodiment of a sporting implement. The handlebar 214 of the sporting implement is connected via ropes or chords 212 to a towing rope.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A-14B, top-views of one embodiment of a glove are provided. FIG. 14A is a top-view of the dorsal-side of the glove 10, and FIG. 1B is a top-view of the palmar-side of the glove 10. Thus, as shown in each of FIGS. 14A and 14B, a glove 10 that fits over a human hand is shown with lower glove portion 12 and upper glove portion 14, the glove 10 comprising a main glove body 20, a glove palm 24, a palm hammock 1, a finger area 30, finger crotches 15, and a thumb area 34. The embodiments of FIGS. 14A and 14B may be a warm weather glove and may not have insulation or a liner. In various embodiments, the gloves disclosed herein may have a liner or may not have a liner. Additionally, various embodiments may comprise insulation while other embodiments do not comprise insulation.

The glove 10 may be fitted with glove holes or gaps (not shown in FIG. 1B) on the finger area 30. In other embodiments, the glove holes may be fitted to the glove thumb area 34 and/or to the main glove body area 20 (not shown). The palmar-side of the glove 10 as shown in FIG. 1B may have one or more pads located on the glove palm 24 (not shown).

Additionally, the glove 10 may comprise a seamless thumb crotch 36 with a synthetic leather overlay. The synthetic leather may be any synthetic leather material listed herein or otherwise known in the art (e.g., Chicron).

To lend further clarity to the Detailed Description provided herein in the associated drawings, the following list of components and associated numbering are provided:

Reference No. Component 1 Palm Hammock 3 Upper Connection 5 Lower Connection 7 Thumb Crotch Seam 10 Glove 12 Lower Glove 14 Upper Glove 15 Finger Crotch 20 Main Glove Body 22 Side Glove 24 Glove Palm 26 Cuff 30 Finger Area 32 Wrapped Finger Construction 34 Thumb Area 36 Thumb Crotch 40 Closure Tab 42 Closure Tab Receiving Area 44 Tab 46 Gusset 48 Screened Silicone 50 Contrast Stitch 52 Direct TPR 56 Reflective IP Heat Transfer 60 Tag 62 Pittards Side Wrap Construction 70 Hand 72 Median Nerve 74 Ulnar Nerve 80 Scaphoid Bone 82 Trapezium Bone 84 Trapezoid Bone 86 Capitate Bone 88 Hamate Bone 90 Pisiform Bone 92 Triquetrum Bone 94 Lunate Bone 100 Metacarpal Bone 102 Proximal Phalanx (Phalanges) 104 Intermediate Phalanx (Phalanges) 106 Distal Phalanx (Phalanges)

To lend further clarity to the Detailed Description provided herein in the associated drawings, the following list of materials and associated lettering are provided:

Reference Letter Material A Softshell B Leather C Synthetic Leather D Optic Cloth E Softshell F Synthetic Leather

While various embodiment of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims.

The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

Moreover, though the present disclosure has included descriptions of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Additionally, the materials referred to herein may be interchanged in different embodiments. Further, similar materials known in the art may be used rather than the specific material mentioned in some embodiments. The materials are only specified to enable one skilled in the art. The listed materials are not intended to limit the embodiments to only the materials mentioned herein. 

We claim:
 1. A glove device comprising: a dorsal-side; a palmar-side; a palm portion; a glove body portion connected to the palm portion such that an opening capable of receiving a human hand is formed between the glove body portion and the palm portion, wherein the opening is opposite one or more finger portions; an index finger portion comprising a palmar-side index finger portion extending from the palm portion and a dorsal-side index finger portion extending from the glove body portion, wherein the dorsal-side index finger portion is interconnected to the palmar-side index finger portion at a first interconnection point; a middle finger portion comprising a palmar-side middle finger portion extending from the palm portion and a dorsal-side middle finger portion extending from the glove body portion and interconnected to the palmar-side middle finger portion at a second interconnection point; a ring finger portion comprising a palmar-side ring finger portion extending from the palm portion and a dorsal-side ring finger portion extending from the glove body portion, wherein the dorsal-side ring finger portion is interconnected to the palmar-side ring finger portion at a third interconnection point; a pinky finger portion comprising a palmar-side pinky finger portion extending from the palm portion and a dorsal-side pinky finger portion extending from the glove body portion, wherein the dorsal-side pinky finger portion is interconnected to the palmar-side pinky finger portion at a fourth interconnection point; a thumb portion comprising a palmar-side thumb portion extending from the palm portion and a dorsal-side thumb portion extending from the glove body portion, wherein the dorsal-side thumb portion wraps around at least a portion of a distal end of the thumb portion; a seamless section, wherein the seamless section comprises at least a part of the palmar-side pinky portion, the palmar-side thumb portion, and the palm portion; and a side glove portion, wherein at least one of the first interconnection point, the second interconnection point, the third interconnection point, and the fourth interconnection point is on the dorsal-side such that the palmar-side finger portion wraps around a distal end of the finger portion.
 2. The glove device of claim 1 further comprising a thumb crotch portion.
 3. The glove device of claim 1 further comprising at least two seams located at least one centimeter away from the center of the palm portion.
 4. The glove device of claim 3, wherein when the glove device is worn and a sporting implement is gripped none of the one or more seams contact the sporting implement.
 5. The glove device of claim 1 further comprising a seamless palm hammock on the palmar-side, said palm hammock extending from the palmar-side pinky finger portion to the palmar-side thumb portion.
 6. The glove device of claim 1, wherein the palm portion minimizes bunching of the seamless section while the received hand grips a sporting implement.
 7. The glove device of claim 1, wherein the seamless section minimizes bunching of the palm portion while the received hand grips a sporting implement.
 8. A glove device for receiving a hand of a wearer, said glove comprising: a dorsal-side; a palmar-side located opposite said dorsal-side; a palm portion; one or more finger portions, wherein at least one of the finger portions wraps around a side of the finger portion to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side of the finger portion; a glove body portion connected to the palm portion such that an opening capable of receiving the hand of the wearer is formed between the glove body portion and the palm portion, wherein the opening is opposite the one or more finger portions; a thumb portion; a seamless section, wherein the seamless section comprises at least a part of the palmar-side finger portion, the palmar-side thumb portion, and the palm portion.
 9. The glove device of claim 8 further comprising a seamless thumb crotch portion.
 10. The glove device of claim 8 comprising four finger portions.
 11. The glove device of claim 8, wherein the palm portion is substantially seamless.
 12. The glove device of claim 8, wherein when the glove device is worn and a sporting implement is gripped no seams contact the sporting implement.
 13. The glove device of claim 8 further comprising an exterior portion and an interior liner portion.
 14. The glove device of claim 13, wherein the liner portion comprises a pinky finger portion, a thumb portion, and a seamless section on a palmar-side of the liner, said seamless section extending from the pinky finger portion to the thumb portion.
 15. The glove device of claim 8, wherein the glove further comprises insulation.
 16. A glove device for covering at least a portion of a hand of a wearer, the glove comprising: a dorsal-side; a palmar-side located opposite the dorsal-side; a palm portion, wherein at least part of the palm portion is seamless; a glove body portion connected to the palm portion such that an opening capable of receiving the hand is formed between the glove body portion and the palm portion, wherein the opening is opposite the one or more finger portions; a first material element, wherein at least a portion of the palmar-side comprises the first material element; a second material element, the second material element being separate from the first material element and wherein at least a portion of the palmar-side comprises the second material element; and a first seam to join the first material element and the second material element such that when the wearer's hand is positioned in the opening the first seam does not substantially overlap a phalanx bone in a finger of the wearer.
 17. The glove device of claim 16, wherein the glove further comprises a third material element and a second seam to join the second material element and the third material element, wherein the second seam does not substantially overlap one or more wrist bones of the hand.
 18. The glove device of claim 16, wherein the glove further comprises a third material element and a second seam to join the second material element and the third material element, wherein the second seam does not substantially overlap one or more metacarpal bones of the hand.
 19. The glove device of claim 16, wherein the glove comprises one or more seams in the palmar-side of the glove and wherein when the wearer grips a sporting implement the one or more seams are not positioned between one or more of the wearer's proximal phalanx bones, intermediate phalanx bones, and distal phalanx bones and the sporting implement.
 20. The glove device of claim 16, wherein the glove further comprises a third material element and a second seam to join the second material element and the third material element, wherein the second seam is positioned on a side of the glove with a pinky finger portion and runs along the palmar-side of the glove to a thumb portion and wherein the second seam crosses a thumb metacarpal bone of the hand. 